Flying Car TF-X Gets Testing Approval

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

Since the early 60s at least, flying cars have occupied the imagination of generations. Numerous companies have attempted to make flying cars a reality, none reaping success so far. Now, Terrafugia, are picking up the gauntlet with a novel method.

Terrafugia are entering the testing stage, and on 1 December have secured a special exemption from the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) for the TF-X, for research and development purposes.

The TF-X is a four-seat, hybrid electric, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flying car that is semi-autonomous. “As the TF-X™ program is currently in the early stages of development, extensive sub-scale flight testing of sUAS, along with wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic simulation, are key to refining the vehicle’s design,” the company said in a press release.

Terrafugia plans to test a one-tenth scale model of the TF-X vehicle to gather data on flight characteristics to aid further development. The exemption will allow Terrafugia to fly its model up to an altitude of 122 metres (400 feet) at speeds under 16 km/h.

Currently, Terrafugia engineers are constructing the TF-X sUAS model, and preparing test plans for the flights.

The TF-X, when finished, will feature folding wings and a rear propeller for forward thrust.The folding wings will come equipped with their own propellers, each powered by 16 separate motors. The 300 horsepower engine should provide plenty of power for both lift and every day driving. Eventually, the team hopes to bring the full scale car to flight speeds of over 300 km/h.