NHTSA Gives The Ok To Terrafugia's Flying Car

[William Maley]

NHTSA Gives The Ok To Terrafugia's Flying Car

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

July 12, 2011

The dream of the flying car looks to be coming true. Today, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, Inc has been granted all the special exemptions it had requested from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their vehicle, the Transition Roadable Aircraft.

Known as the Transition, it's the first flying vehicle to receive such exemptions from the Department of Transportation since the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards came into fruition during the 70's.

NHTSA has cleared Terrafugia to use special tires that are rated for highway speeds and the vehicle's weight. NHTSA has also given the company permission to use polycarbonate materials instead of traditional laminated automotive safety glass. The reasons for the polycarbonate materials are due to the safety glass being too heavy for flight and if a bird hit the glass, it could impair the pilot's vision.

“We further conclude that the granting of an exemption from these requirements would be in the public interest and consistent with the objectives of traffic safety,” the NHTSA said in the exemption text.

The Transition is expected to go on sale later this year with a price tag of $200,000.

Source: Left Lane News