The ‘Terrafugia Transition’ is a two-seater car that doubles up as an aeroplane

RAJKOT: Subash Shihora, a businessman from Rajkot, is aiming to be the first Indian to own the American flying car, a two-seater plane that can be converted into an automobile at the touch of a button.

The flying car ‘Terrafugia Transition’ is developed by a Massachusetts-based company and underwent a test flight in February. If all goes well, it is expected to hit the market in 18 months. The super-vehicle would cost about Rs. 96,00,000.

Shihora, CEO of Urok International, a consultancy firm, said, “The best thing about the car is that you can drive it on the road as well as you can fly on air within 15 seconds from the road. Thus, you would have the time flexibility,” he added. Shihora said that besides a driving license a person must possess license to fly planes as well.

The company describes the road aircraft as a ‘Personal air vehicle designed to change configurations, enabling it to operate as a traditional road vehicle as well as a general aviation airplane.’

The aero-auto hybrid will be designed to be capable of landing at an airport and then folding the wings in and becoming a ‘road-able’ vehicle.

Reports say the vehicle has been tested for a speed of 144 kmph and has the flight range of 160 kmph.