Mfarhanonline Social Media News: Score a big victory for flying cars . The Terrafugia Transition — the first serious flying car, or more accurately, drivable plane — just completed its first test flight, putting it on course to be available to auto and aircraft enthusiasts in next year or so. The Transition has been in the works for more than six years, but it’s officially introducing itself to the automotive world this week at the New York International Auto Show. The company’s pilot, Phil Meteer, flew the Transition in upstate New York earlier this week, and he says the company has an aggressive schedule to get through all 75 test flights required by the FAA to be certified as a light-sports aircraft. With that certification, any driver with a pilot’s licence will be able to fly the Transition out of one of 5,000 general-aviation airports all over the country. The range is rated as 400+ miles, so it’s fine for short hops to places like Nantucket, or if you want to fly from New York to Boston without the hassle of going through airport security. “This is real,” says Meteer. “I’ve driven it. I’ve flown it. This particular vehicle has been three years in the making; it’s made from production molds. “It’s street legal — it has a Massachusetts licence plate on it. Any driver can drive it, and any pilot can fly it.” SEE ALSO: New York Auto Show: The Coolest Car Tech So Far Since the Transition will be certified as a lightweight two-seater aircraft, it can only weigh a maximum of 1,430 pounds — relatively light, even for a car. So it’s more more suited for short trips and commuter flights than serious travel. Still, you can’t beat the convenience of a plane that runs on premium gasoline from any gas station (not regular gas, since it needs the high oct! ane), un folds its wings in less than a minute and requires just 20 hours of training to learn to fly (though Meteer says most people will require more). Terrafugia expects the Transition to be certified and for sale by the end of 2013. As you might expect, it’s a little costlier than your average Lexus: It starts at $279,000. You can put a $10,000 refundable deposit down now, though, if you want to be one of the first in line. Auto Show attendees can put down just $2,500, but that’s non-refundable. Browse some close-ups of the Terrafugia Transition and its cockpit below, and let us know what you think of it in the comments. The Terrafugia Transition Flying Car Terrafugia expects its flying car to be ready for purchase by 2013 for $279,000. It’ll be certified as a light-sports aircraft and have a range of 400+ miles. Click here to view this gallery. More About: cars , flying car , planes , Terrafugia , trending Social Media reviews series maintain by Mayya
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