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Woburn Company Introduces A First Flying Car

The "Terrafugia Transition" (Courtesy of Terrafugia)
The "Terrafugia Transition" (Courtesy of Terrafugia)

The Federal Aviation Administration is giving the green light to the world's first flying car — built and developed in Massachusetts.

Richard Gersh, vice president of business development at Woburn-based Tarrafugia, says the "Terrafugia Transition" flying car flies at 120 miles per hour and retails for just under $200,000.

"You can keep it at your house, drive it to the closest airport. In about 20 seconds, the vehicle automatically converts itself electrically from car to aircraft mode," Gersh said.

"It has automobile safety standards that we've had to meet that are established by the federal government and in the air it meets all of the aircraft certification standards," Gersh added.

The Transition flying car has a “light aircraft” designation, which makes it more accessible because licenses for such planes require less flying time. It also runs on unleaded automobile fuel — as opposed to jet fuel, which is still leaded.

The Massachusetts company, founded in 2006 by MIT aeronautical engineers, is considering Dayton, Ohio, as a possible production site.

Earlier Coverage:

This program aired on July 1, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

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