A Real Life Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

The UK's Daily Mail (1/12, Massey) reports on the Terrafugia Transition flying car, set to debut next month. "With wings that fold up automatically at the push of a button, the Terrafugia Transition should be equally at home in the sky or on the road." The Transition "is powered by the same 100 brake horsepower engine...on the ground and in the air" and "Terrafugia claims it will be able to fly up to 500 miles on a single tank of petrol at a cruising speed of 115mph." Currently, according to the article, "the only place in the US in which it is legal to take off from a road is Alaska. And as well as your driving licence, you will need your pilot's licence." Neoseeker (1/11, Ridgely) reported, "Assuming it survives all well and good, it will be in showrooms in 18 months time (July of next year)." The article also noted, "The vehicle is capable of transforming from a two-seater road car to a plane in 15 seconds."