Terrafugia Transition

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Transition

Production Prototype of Terrafugia Transition at the N.Y. Int'l

Auto Show in April 2012

Role

Light-sport aircraft

Manufacturer Terrafugia

First flight

Introduction

March 5, 2009[1]

In development since 2006, prototype unveiled

in 2009

Number built 3[2]

Unit cost

US$279,000[3]

The Terrafugia Transition is a light sport, roadable airplane under development by Terrafugia since 2006.
[4]

The Rotax 912ULS[5] piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of
425 nmi (489 mi; 787 km) using either automotive premium grade unleaded gasoline or 100LL avgas and a
cruising flight speed of 93 kn (107 mph; 172 km/h). Equipment includes a Dynon Skyview glass panel
avionics system, an airframe parachute, and an optional autopilot. [6]
On the road, it can drive up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h)[7] with normal traffic. The Transition Production
Prototype's folded dimensions of 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) high, 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wide and 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m) long

are designed to fit within a standard household garage. When operated as a car, the engine powers the
rear wheels via a power take-off near the propeller that feeds a VDP CVT-type automatic transmission to
send power to the trailing-suspension mounted wheels via half-shafts powering belt drives.[8] In flight, the
engine drives apusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings, pusher propeller and twin tail.
Contents
[hide]

1 Development
Milestones
2 Specifications
3 References
4 External links

[edit]Development

Milestones

The experimental Transition Proof of Concept's first flight in March, 2009 was successful and took place
under FAA supervision atPlattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York using U.S. Federal Aviation
Authority (FAA) tail number N302TF. First customer delivery, as of March 2009, was originally planned for
2011.[1][9][10]
On July 1, 2010 it was announced that the Terrafugia Transition had been granted an exemption from the
FAA concerning its Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) allowing the Transition to be certified with a take-off
weight up to 1,430 pounds (650 kg); the limit matches the MTOW for amphibious light-sport aircraft.[11] The
extra 110 pounds (50 kg) granted by the exemption provides more weight allowance for the mandatory
road safety features such as airbags and bumpers.[11][12]

Oshkosh July 2008, Proof of Concept

Oshkosh July 2011, Production Prototype

The proposed design of the production version was made public at AirVenture Oshkosh on 26 July 2010.
[13]

Aerodynamic changes revealed included a new, optimized airfoil, Hoerner wingtips, and removal of the

canard after it was found to have an adverse aerodynamic interaction with the front wheel suspension
struts; furthermore, the multipurpose passenger vehicle classification from the NHTSA removed the
requirement for a full width bumper that had inspired the original canard design. [14]
On November 16, 2010 the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published
Terrafugia's July 20, 2010 petition for a temporary, three-year hardship exemption from
four FMVSS standards in the Transition.[15][16] They requested:

To use lighter weight but equally safe motorcycle tires instead of RV tires. (FMVSS No. 110, S4.1
and S4.4)

To not include an electronic stability control system because of its weight and potential to become
a single point of failure that might unintentionally throttle back the engine in flight. (FMVSS No. 126)

To use lighter and stronger, but less scratch resistant, polycarbonate for the windshield and side
windows in place of glass to more safely withstand bird strikes. (FMVSS No. 205, S5)

To use basic airbags instead of advanced, dual stage airbags because of a lack of financial
resources to develop an advanced air bag system. (FMVSS No. 208, S14 except S14.5.1(a))

The NHTSA granted all of the requested exemptions on June 29, 2011, but limited the stability control and
airbag exemptions to one year instead of three as originally requested. [17][18] Also in June, 2011, a delay was
announced pushing initial customer deliveries to "late 2012". [19] December, 2011 saw the base price
increased to US$279,000.[3]
After undergoing drive tests and high-speed taxi tests, the Production Prototype completed its first flight on
March 23, 2012 at the same airport inPlattsburgh, New York that was used for the Proof of Concept's flight
testing.[16][20][21] The production prototype then made its auto show debut at the 2012 New York International
Auto Show in April, 2012.[22]

In June, 2012, Terrafugia announced that the Transition had completed the first of six phases of flight
testing.[23][24] By July, the second phase of testing was underway, expanding the performance envelope in
the sky and continuing drive testing on the ground. [25]

[edit]Specifications

Production Prototype with wings extended at New York Int'l Auto Show in April, 2012

Prototype with wings partially folded

Prototype with wings folded

Data from Terrafugia Transition Proof of Concept specifications.[26][27][28] Terrafugia Transition 2010 specifications.
[29]

General characteristics

Crew: 1 pilot

Capacity: 1 passenger

Payload: 460 lb (210 kg) ()

Length: 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) ()

Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) ()

Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) ()

Empty weight: 970 lb (440 kg) ()

Useful load: 460 lb (210 kg) ()

Max. takeoff weight: 1,430 lb (650 kg)[11] ()

Powerplant: 1 Rotax 912ULS, 100 hp (75 kW) @ 5800 rpm (max. 5 minutes), 95 hp (71 kW) @
5500 rpm (continuous) ()

Propellers:
Proof of Concept - Prince Aircraft Company, four-bladed "P-Tip"[30][31]
Production Prototype - Sensenich 3 Blade Rotax Ground Adjustable Propeller[32] propeller

Propeller diameter: 68 in. (1.7 m) ()

Cockpit width: 48 in (1.2 m) at the shoulder

Fuel capacity: 23 US gal (87 L; 19 imp gal), 141 pounds (64 kg)

Length on road: 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m) with elevator up

Width on road: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) with wings folded

Height on road: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)

Rear wheel drive on road

Performance

Maximum speed: 100 kts (115 mph or 185 km/h)

Cruise speed: 93 kts (107 mph or 172 km/h)

Stall speed: 45 kts (51 mph or 82 km/h)

Range: Flying - 425 nmi (489 mi; 787 km) () ; Driving - 805 mi (1,296 km; 700 nmi)

Maximum speed on road: 70 mph (110 km/h)[7]

Fuel economy in cruise flight: 5 US gal (19 L) per hour, 21.4 mpg-US (11.0 L/100 km; 25.7 mpg-imp)

Fuel economy on road: 35 mpg-US (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg-imp)

Certifications: Both FAA and FMVSS certifications planned

The Transition
Every pilot faces uncertain weather, rising costs, and ground transportation hassles on each end of
the flight. The Transition combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the
ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform. Stowing the wings for road
use and deploying them for flight at the airport is activated from inside the cockpit. This unique
functionality addresses head-on the issues faced by todays Private and Sport Pilots.
Terrafugias award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in
personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary
integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition Roadable Aircraft.

Performance

Max, Vh:
Cruise, Vc:
Stall, Vs:
Range:
Takeoff:

100 kts (115 mph, 185 km/h)

93 kts (105 mph, 172 km/h)
45 kts (51 mph, 83 km/h)
425 nmi (490 mi, 787 km)
1700' (518 m) over 50' obstacle

Gross Takeoff Weight:

Empty Weight:
Useful Load:

1430 lbs (650 kg)

970 lbs (440 kg)
460 lbs (210 kg)

Fuel burn at cruise:

Useable Fuel:
Mileage on road:

5 gph (18.9 L/h)

23 gal (87L)
35 mpg (6.7L/100km)

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)

Convenience

Rear wheel drive on the ground

Automotive-style entry and exit
Two place, side by side
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds golf clubs

Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912ULS engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features

Dimensions
Driving:
80 (2m) tall
90 (2.3m) wide
18 9 (6m) long

Flying:
78" (2m) tall
26' 6" (8m) wingspan
19' 9" (6m) long

Cockpit:
48 at the shoulder
Carry-on luggage
Golf clubs
Two place, side-by-side

Training
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition -specific course. For existing
pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition delivery.

Order Today
Place your refundable $10,000 airframe reservation deposit here.
Pricing: The anticipated base price is $279,000. View the current Equipment List here.