<p>Drivers hoping to slip the surly — and traffic congested — bonds of earth moved a step closer to realising their dream, as a US firm said it had successfully tested a street-legal plane.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Massachusetts-based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype "Transition" car-plane had completed an eight-minute test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year. "With this flight, the team demonstrated an ability to accomplish what had been called an impossible dream," said founder Carl Dietrich.<br /><br />The two-seater craft, which has the rounded features of a Fiat 500 and collapsible wings, is on presale for $279,000 and some 100 vehicles have already been ordered. While many companies have successfully built a flying car, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models.But things have changed since the clunky Curtiss Autoplane hopped and spluttered into action in the early 1900s. New materials and computer-aided design mean today's flying cars are cheaper and lighter to build.<br /><br />They also look more like "Blade Runner" than "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."<br /><br />The successful test flight has given hope to aficionados that this staple of science fiction is a step closer to reality.<br /><br />"Is it going to be like the Jetsons with everyone driving one in five years? No," admitted Winfield Keller, vice-president of The International Flying Car Association, a trade group.<br /><br />"But we are getting to the point where 10, maybe 15 years from now that the people owning and operating (them) will be everyday people."<br /><br />In the meantime manufacturers hope they can build something that appeals to border security agencies, the police or the military, as well as hobbyists. Terrafugia is targeting pilots looking for a bit more flexibility and fewer hangar fees. Spanning 90 inches (2.3m) the same as a car, it fits into a normal-sized garage, before unfurling a 26 foot (8m) wingspan.<br /><br />The Transition, they say offers unparalleled freedom of movement, with a range of 490 miles (787 kilometres) and without the need to check bags.<br /><br />But to take advantage, would-be owners will need to have both a driver's and pilot's license -- with a minimum of 20 hours of flying time.<br /><br />The craft needs 2,500 feet (762 metres) of runway for takeoff, meaning pulling onto the shoulder and escaping the traffic is not really an option.<br /><br />"The Transition Street-Legal Airplane is now a significant step closer to being a commercial reality," the company said.<br /><br />At least two other companies are racing to bring an autoplane to the market. California-based Moller International has built a personal vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, although it requires a little more training to operate.</p>
<p>Drivers hoping to slip the surly — and traffic congested — bonds of earth moved a step closer to realising their dream, as a US firm said it had successfully tested a street-legal plane.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Massachusetts-based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype "Transition" car-plane had completed an eight-minute test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year. "With this flight, the team demonstrated an ability to accomplish what had been called an impossible dream," said founder Carl Dietrich.<br /><br />The two-seater craft, which has the rounded features of a Fiat 500 and collapsible wings, is on presale for $279,000 and some 100 vehicles have already been ordered. While many companies have successfully built a flying car, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models.But things have changed since the clunky Curtiss Autoplane hopped and spluttered into action in the early 1900s. New materials and computer-aided design mean today's flying cars are cheaper and lighter to build.<br /><br />They also look more like "Blade Runner" than "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."<br /><br />The successful test flight has given hope to aficionados that this staple of science fiction is a step closer to reality.<br /><br />"Is it going to be like the Jetsons with everyone driving one in five years? No," admitted Winfield Keller, vice-president of The International Flying Car Association, a trade group.<br /><br />"But we are getting to the point where 10, maybe 15 years from now that the people owning and operating (them) will be everyday people."<br /><br />In the meantime manufacturers hope they can build something that appeals to border security agencies, the police or the military, as well as hobbyists. Terrafugia is targeting pilots looking for a bit more flexibility and fewer hangar fees. Spanning 90 inches (2.3m) the same as a car, it fits into a normal-sized garage, before unfurling a 26 foot (8m) wingspan.<br /><br />The Transition, they say offers unparalleled freedom of movement, with a range of 490 miles (787 kilometres) and without the need to check bags.<br /><br />But to take advantage, would-be owners will need to have both a driver's and pilot's license -- with a minimum of 20 hours of flying time.<br /><br />The craft needs 2,500 feet (762 metres) of runway for takeoff, meaning pulling onto the shoulder and escaping the traffic is not really an option.<br /><br />"The Transition Street-Legal Airplane is now a significant step closer to being a commercial reality," the company said.<br /><br />At least two other companies are racing to bring an autoplane to the market. California-based Moller International has built a personal vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, although it requires a little more training to operate.</p>
