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China’s Geely, Owner of Volvo, Acquires Terrafugia’s Light-Sport Aircraft Transition

By Dan Johnson || July 5, 2017 1 Comment

In a familiar theme, a Chinese company has acquired an American aircraft company. Past purchases include Cirrus Design, Mooney, Glasair, and Continental Motors, among others.

Terrafugia's Transition "roadable aircraft" as seen at Oshkosh.

This time news reports say a Chinese company bought a company from the light aircraft space: Terrafugia, maker of the Transition flying car, or as they prefer to call it, a roadable aircraft. Geely is an automaker based in Hong Kong that bought the famed Swedish car maker, Volvo. The Massachusetts airplane developer has put out slick video presentations of their newer-still model, the TF-X, a hybrid electric variation (video at bottom). I suspect it is this newer entry that has both automobile makers excited.

Terrafugia first announced their Transition roadable airplane in 2006, flying a proof-of-concept aircraft in 2009 along with a demonstration before attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2013. The Massachusetts company built a second-generation Transition prototype in 2012. Reportedly a third-generation conforming prototype is under construction for testing in 2017, with deliveries planned to begin following completion of this testing. Terrafugia's newest design is the TF-X (photos) that has fold-out wings with twin electric motors. Unlike Transition — which was presented as a Light-Sport Aircraft, albeit one for which they obtained a weight waiver — TF-X is a much larger aircraft.

The electric motors that are hidden inside the body during ground operations allow the TF-X to takeoff vertically before morphing, Osprey V-22-style, to horizontal flight, Power is to come from a 300-horsepower engine providing thrust through a ducted fan. Design estimates are for a cruising speed of 200 mph and a 500-mile flight range.

The four-seat TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer controls so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.

According to various media reports, the deep-pocketed Geely will fly the Terrafugia design under its Volvo brand, though like the TF-X, these plans remain conjecture at this time. To get itself to the point of being acquired by Volvo-owning Geely, Terrafugia allegedly raised raised around $6 million in capital through five rounds of funding. The acquisition by Geely could accelerate development efforts considering the Chinese firm's financial strength. Readers of this website probably may not care much about autonomously flown aircraft that look part-quadcopter drone and part automobile, but it's interesting to see where thinking way ahead might lead. https://youtu.be/wHJTZ7k0BXU According to London's Daily Mail online, "Just how much the Chinese automotive company paid for Terrafugia has yet to be revealed, but experts say the move could be a step toward the ultimate travel solution for commuters. Still, they estimate it will be another 10-20 years before the radical vehicles hit the streets. In the past, Terrafugia has claimed its designs could be ready to fly within the next few years. Last February, the firm said its concept vehicle TF-X could come to life as a prototype vehicle in just two years, and go on general sale within eight."

In a familiar theme, a Chinese company has acquired an American aircraft company. Past purchases include Cirrus Design, Mooney, Glasair, and Continental Motors, among others. This time news reports say a Chinese company bought a company from the light aircraft space: Terrafugia, maker of the Transition flying car, or as they prefer to call it, a roadable aircraft. Geely is an automaker based in Hong Kong that bought the famed Swedish car maker, Volvo. The Massachusetts airplane developer has put out slick video presentations of their newer-still model, the TF-X, a hybrid electric variation (video at bottom). I suspect it is this newer entry that has both automobile makers excited. Terrafugia first announced their Transition roadable airplane in 2006, flying a proof-of-concept aircraft in 2009 along with a demonstration before attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2013. The Massachusetts company built a second-generation Transition prototype in 2012.

Terrafugia — Transition (09/11)

By Dan Johnson || August 19, 2016 Leave a Comment

Terrafugia -- a name that means escape from Earth -- is the creator of the "roadable airplane" called Transition. The New England company has attracted wide media attention for its unique effort in the LSA space. With a growing order book, Anna Dietrick helps us learn where the project stands as of AirVenture 2011. Come have a look.

Terrafugia — a name that means escape from Earth — is the creator of the “roadable airplane” called Transition. The New England company has attracted wide media attention for its unique effort in the LSA space. With a growing order book, Anna Dietrick helps us learn where the project stands as of AirVenture 2011. Come have a look.

Of Amphibs and Aircars

By James Lawrence || July 1, 2011 Leave a Comment

A5 flight testing continues. photo courtesy ICON Aircraft

Concept of revised Transition design. photo courtesy Terrafugia

Finding the middle road between air and ground regulations. photo courtesy Terrafugia

Two of the best-promoted and most interesting LSA projects - and two of the most delayed getting to market - are back in the news. Icon Aircraft, a startup company created to produce the sexy composite A5 amphibian, just snagged $25 million in funding to help complete remaining design issues, tool up for production and begin cranking out airplanes. *** The company reports around 500 A5 orders on the books, at $139,000 per. A few months of flight testing remain to be completed, along with a new wing (reportedly for better spin resistance and directional stability), which means the production target date has been pushed back again, this time to the last quarter of 2012. *** Reported among the new crop of investors are Eric Schmidt of Google, Satyen Patel, formerly of Nike and Phil Condit, former CEO of Boeing, and some "undisclosed" Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. The initial infusion of greenbacks will be $15 million, with an option for $10 million more. *** Meanwhile, regarding the flying car... er, "roadable aircraft," the always press-visible Terrafugia recently got a nod from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration when it granted the company's application for a temporary exemption for its Transition flying car (or driving airplane... oh, heck, it's just easier to say flying car).The exemption relaxes four federal vehicle safety standards requirements for the Transition, acknowledging that complying with the standards at this point in the ever-more-costly aircar would impose a condition of substantial economic hardship on the company and also grant more time to find safe alternatives to current automotive safety standards. *** Nonetheless, these are temporary exemptions. And Terrafugia had asked for a longer time period for two of the four exemptions. *** The company cited its 500 potential jobs by 2015 as partial justification for requesting the exemptions, and the agency took that into consideration as well as the overall occupant safety factor. One selling point was Terrafugia's contention that the Transition increases pilot safety, since it can land at any airport in worsening VFR conditions and continue to the destination by road. Boy, those folks know how to articulate every possible benefit out of their concept. *** The point here would seem to be that the Transition would reduce potential VFR-into-IMC accidents because pilots wouldn't be tempted to continue flights in bad weather in deterioriating weather. Of course, that's only common sense for non-IFR pilots, a legal requirement as well, but as we all know, pilots get in trouble this way all the time, with occasional disastrous results. *** Exemption periods of one or three years included tire and rim selection requirements, glazing materials (windows and windscreen), occupant crash protection (advanced — and heavy — air bags) and electronic stability control systems. One can appreciate the difficulty of having to comply with not only aircraft but also automobile regulations, each set of which is tough enough to meet for one-medium vehicles. *** One teaching point for those inclined to scoff at the need to "bend" the rules: the glazing exemption deals with the potential safety hazard that traditional laminated car safety glass presents to pilots when shattered... it can cobweb something fierce. Imagine you get a bird strike front and center on final approach and can't see forward. You could pull a Lindbergh and look out the side window, but you get the point. *** Significant weight penalty from auto glass is another consideration, so the exemption allows for time to develop polycarbonate materials with comparable protection for the occupants, at less weight, while still resisting shattering or crazing. *** The many design and regulatory challenges have again postponed flight testing of the 2nd, redesigned Transition prototype (the first, which flew briefly, had a canard), until at least March of 2012.

Two of the best-promoted and most interesting LSA projects – and two of the most delayed getting to market – are back in the news. Icon Aircraft, a startup company created to produce the sexy composite A5 amphibian, just snagged $25 million in funding to help complete remaining design issues, tool up for production and begin cranking out airplanes. *** The company reports around 500 A5 orders on the books, at $139,000 per. A few months of flight testing remain to be completed, along with a new wing (reportedly for better spin resistance and directional stability), which means the production target date has been pushed back again, this time to the last quarter of 2012. *** Reported among the new crop of investors are Eric Schmidt of Google, Satyen Patel, formerly of Nike and Phil Condit, former CEO of Boeing, and some “undisclosed” Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. The initial infusion of greenbacks will be $15 million, with an option for $10 million more.

Oshkosh First Day

By James Lawrence || August 12, 2010 Leave a Comment

Oshkosh has been deluged with a record downpour the last few days, which complicated arrivals because of the soggified grass fields...where most of the planes park and campers do their camping thing. *** Many airplanes were turned away over the weekend but nothing deters the Airventure show, which must go on. *** Several things already buzz, then out to the field for me to discover more and get things rolling (I got here late last night from the wonderful DC-3 Fly-In 4 hours south of here - half of the flying DC-3s in America, 35 total, turned up to be admired by thousands of visitors - a wonderful show.) *** Back to Oshkosh and LSA-centric events: *** <> If two flying cars aren't enough - the Terrafugia Transition and I-TEC Maverick I've reported on in the past- here's another one: the Caravella. It's an intriguing work in progress and they're exhibiting at the show. *** <> Oshkosh never fails to deliver sheer wonderment but here's one for the books: a rocket-powered helicopter (terms you don't expect to hear together!). Read about it here, but the short tell is hydrogen peroxide powers rotor-tip jets to get things going. Endurance claim is 1.5 hours! Can you say LSA green helicopter in one breath? This amazing project deserves a closer look. *** <> Sonex Aircraft, which is working on its own electric-powered project, introduced the Onex, a single-seat, homebuilt E-LSA. I'll have pix soon. The bird has folding wings a la the F4U Corsair warbird (makes trailering legal) and will be powered by an AeroVee engine. *** Off to the show!

Oshkosh has been deluged with a record downpour the last few days, which complicated arrivals because of the soggified grass fields…where most of the planes park and campers do their camping thing. *** Many airplanes were turned away over the weekend but nothing deters the Airventure show, which must go on. *** Several things already buzz, then out to the field for me to discover more and get things rolling (I got here late last night from the wonderful DC-3 Fly-In 4 hours south of here – half of the flying DC-3s in America, 35 total, turned up to be admired by thousands of visitors – a wonderful show.) *** Back to Oshkosh and LSA-centric events: *** <> If two flying cars aren’t enough – the Terrafugia Transition and I-TEC Maverick I’ve reported on in the past- here’s another one: the Caravella. It’s an intriguing work in progress and they’re exhibiting at the show.

Light-Sport Flying Car Frenzy

By Dan Johnson || July 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

Call them "flying cars, flying motorcycles, flying dune buggies," or "roadable aircraft." Regardless of the correct term, a growing wave of these car-to-airplane machines are in various stages of development and most will be at AirVenture 2010. One of the newest entries is a kit with the lowest projected price among the group; all others are fully built and carry larger price tags. Check out the Caravellair, a three-wheel motorcycle adaptation portrayed on their website. They are predicting a kit for $50,000 but they need investment to get to finish development and get to market.

The better funded Terrafugia effort is leading the sector and recently basked in the warmth of media spotlights after winning a weight exemption from FAA. Their PR success may be boosting the fortunes of the others. We've written about two four-wheelers: Transition — which first flew in March 2010 and is presently undergoing further flight and roadway trials — and Maverick — a cool dune buggie-esque configuration that looks like a hoot to drive on the ground; it is reportedly on the verge of winning SLSA approval and is likely to be the first of these projects to win an airworthiness certificate. Both four wheelers will be at Oshkosh and here's the AirVenture opportunities for the three-wheeler projects.

Taking a cue from Boeing, which kept its 747-8 home from the Farnborough show to pursue flight testing, Sampson Motorworks will not show their daring Switchblade as they did the last two years, but developer Sam Bousefield will give a forum on July 27 at 4 PM in Pavilion 08. The company's beautiful website has some great artist concept drawings and gives evidence of their work.

Joe Caravella, a father and son team, will conduct a forum on their project Monday July 26 at 10 AM in the 002 GAMA Pavilion. Afterwards, Oshkosh trekkies can pay a visit to the company's exhibit in space 97. Hope we see you in Wisconsin — come by the LSA Mall and say "Hi!" If you can't make Oshkosh, keep checking here for the latest LSA news.

Call them “flying cars, flying motorcycles, flying dune buggies,” or “roadable aircraft.” Regardless of the correct term, a growing wave of these car-to-airplane machines are in various stages of development and most will be at AirVenture 2010. One of the newest entries is a kit with the lowest projected price among the group; all others are fully built and carry larger price tags. Check out the Caravellair, a three-wheel motorcycle adaptation portrayed on their website. They are predicting a kit for $50,000 but they need investment to get to finish development and get to market. The better funded Terrafugia effort is leading the sector and recently basked in the warmth of media spotlights after winning a weight exemption from FAA. Their PR success may be boosting the fortunes of the others. We’ve written about two four-wheelers: Transition — which first flew in March 2010 and is presently undergoing further flight and roadway trials — and Maverick — a cool dune buggie-esque configuration that looks like a hoot to drive on the ground; it is reportedly on the verge of winning SLSA approval and is likely to be the first of these projects to win an airworthiness certificate.

Terrafugia Granted a Weight Exemption!

By Dan Johnson || June 17, 2010 Leave a Comment

Flying Higher -- Terrafugia petitioned FAA for more weight and got an exemption.

Transition first took to the air on March 5th, 2009.

Transition must meet not only ASTM standards for Light-Sport Aircraft but also FMVSS requirements to drive legally on roadways.

Terrafugia's team is proud to win the exemption; now they can pursue development vigorously.

Many said it would never happen. And certainly, it took time. But Terrafugia's team of engineers and visionaries succeeded in getting a weight increase exemption for their Transition roadable aircraft. LSA land planes are limited to 1,320 pounds (600 kg) by FAA regulations. Seaplanes are allowed another 110 pounds (50 kg) for the float gear or amphibious hull. *** On May 27, 2010, FAA granted Terrafugia the same parameters as seaplanes primarily as the Transition must also meet federal highway standards (wipers, rear-view mirrors, impact capability, and much more). The Terrafugia team was ecstatic. "We were extremely pleased that FAA recognized the potential safety benefits of bringing a product like Transition to the market and incorporating the features needed to operate on the road with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards," said CEO Carl Dietrich. *** In the official exemption document, FAA Small Aircraft Directorate Manager Kim Smith wrote, "The Transition roadable aircraft is unique and must simultaneously meet both sets of standards for ASTM and FMVSS." The agency specified this exemption is only available for the Terrafugia Transition. *** "We had been targeting a useful of 430 pounds for a 100-hp engine (the minimum under ASTM standards)," explained Dietrich. "Now, we can increase that. We are reviewing right how to produce appropriate expectations. We need some of the extra weight for required features to operate on the road but some of the exemption weight increase will allow us to offer more payload to customers." *** It can be challenging to stay within LSA weight limits. Several leading Light-Sport producers have shaved ounces wherever they could and still only offer modest useful loads. "Without the exemption, we would have been forced to use very expensive components to keep within LSA weight parameters," Dietrich clarified. "Now we can use more reasonably-priced components. That's important as we know the market demands an affordable price for any product." The CEO spoke for his whole Terrafugia team and added, "We were really encouraged to see the support we got from AOPA, EAA, LAMA, Women in Aviation and others." All photos courtesy Terrafugia

Many said it would never happen. And certainly, it took time. But Terrafugia’s team of engineers and visionaries succeeded in getting a weight increase exemption for their Transition roadable aircraft. LSA land planes are limited to 1,320 pounds (600 kg) by FAA regulations. Seaplanes are allowed another 110 pounds (50 kg) for the float gear or amphibious hull. *** On May 27, 2010, FAA granted Terrafugia the same parameters as seaplanes primarily as the Transition must also meet federal highway standards (wipers, rear-view mirrors, impact capability, and much more). The Terrafugia team was ecstatic. “We were extremely pleased that FAA recognized the potential safety benefits of bringing a product like Transition to the market and incorporating the features needed to operate on the road with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” said CEO Carl Dietrich. *** In the official exemption document, FAA Small Aircraft Directorate Manager Kim Smith wrote, “The Transition roadable aircraft is unique and must simultaneously meet both sets of standards for ASTM and FMVSS.” The agency specified this exemption is only available for the Terrafugia Transition.

Ticket to Ride… er, Fly… Well, Both… Maybe

By Dan Johnson || December 26, 2009 Leave a Comment

"Roadable LSA" -- Flying cars of the past didn't meet with much market success but this new-millennia edition using LSA rules, modern materials, and sharp young engineers using CAD software might reinvent the category. Terrafugia's Transition has flown successfully.

You've surely seen news coverage of Terrafugia's Transition, the "roadable" LSA from a brain trust of award-winning MIT engineers in Woburn, Massachusetts. This modern version of the well-worn flying car concept has attracted plenty of media attention, and deservedly so, I think. I have been reviewing all their materials and info for an article to appear in Light Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine and I'm impressed with the task's complexities. *** Step one is the effort to create a powered-folding-wing, four-wheel aircraft that flies as the designers wish. That's hardly a trivial project especially as the folding wing must work in such a way that you can then drive down the road without removing those wings. (In comparison, Icon's A5 also has powered folding wings but they stay full length, sweeping back against the seaplane's fuselage.) *** Step two is making a road-capable drive train using the same Rotax 912 powerplant. Now, others have accomplished such things, perhaps, but did those projects meet a set of rules called the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards? After reviewing what's involved, my guess is they did not. The long list of required items includes such as airbags; roll cages; crumple zones; crash-capable bumpers; head restraints; highway-speed brake systems; pothole-tolerant suspension; plus features like rear-view mirrors; automotive lighting including turn signals; and windshield wipers. (Whew!) *** Step three... since all that hardware adds weight -- and since none of those things are needed on a LSA -- Terrafugia has petitioned FAA for a higher weight limit. No decision has yet been reached by the agency.

You’ve surely seen news coverage of Terrafugia’s Transition, the “roadable” LSA from a brain trust of award-winning MIT engineers in Woburn, Massachusetts. This modern version of the well-worn flying car concept has attracted plenty of media attention, and deservedly so, I think. I have been reviewing all their materials and info for an article to appear in Light Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine and I’m impressed with the task’s complexities. *** Step one is the effort to create a powered-folding-wing, four-wheel aircraft that flies as the designers wish. That’s hardly a trivial project especially as the folding wing must work in such a way that you can then drive down the road without removing those wings. (In comparison, Icon’s A5 also has powered folding wings but they stay full length, sweeping back against the seaplane’s fuselage.) *** Step two is making a road-capable drive train using the same Rotax 912 powerplant.

Terrafugia Escapes Terra Firma on First Flight

By Dan Johnson || March 18, 2009 Leave a Comment

The proof of concept Transition will continue flight and drive testing. A second Transition will go through the ASTM review process for Light-Sport Aircraft certification.

Massachusetts-based Terrafugia announced today the first flight of its proof of concept Transition "roadable aircraft." The maiden flight occurred on March 5th and followed six months of static, road, and taxi testing. Transition made its first escape from Earth at the Plattsburgh, New York airport, flown by retired Air Force colonel Phil Meteer who reported, "Transition flew like a really nice airplane." *** Terrafugia said their Transition can cruise 450 miles at 115 mph and can drive at highway speeds on the road. Designers say it fits in a standard home garage. Transition uses front wheel drive on the road; both ground and flight modes are powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912S. Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietrich said that transforming Transition from plane to car takes the pilot a mere 30 seconds. Then you can drive your airplane off the airport to a local gas pump and fill up at a substantial discount to 100LL avgas (see inset photo of Dietrich at gas station). *** For more information, contact Terrafugia via email or call 781-491-0812. Find Transition specs or photos. Refundable airframe reservations are being accepted at this time.

Massachusetts-based Terrafugia announced today the first flight of its proof of concept Transition “roadable aircraft.” The maiden flight occurred on March 5th and followed six months of static, road, and taxi testing. Transition made its first escape from Earth at the Plattsburgh, New York airport, flown by retired Air Force colonel Phil Meteer who reported, “Transition flew like a really nice airplane.” *** Terrafugia said their Transition can cruise 450 miles at 115 mph and can drive at highway speeds on the road. Designers say it fits in a standard home garage. Transition uses front wheel drive on the road; both ground and flight modes are powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912S. Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietrich said that transforming Transition from plane to car takes the pilot a mere 30 seconds. Then you can drive your airplane off the airport to a local gas pump and fill up at a substantial discount to 100LL avgas (see inset photo of Dietrich at gas station).

“New Wave” LSA, Part 1 — Terrafugia Transition

By Dan Johnson || October 4, 2008 Leave a Comment

In addition to the Icon A5 and the MySky One, the Terrafugia (translation: "escape from Earth") Transition is a clean-sheet design. Ready for road trials, first flights by Transition are expected to follow this fall. Check Transition specs.

Recently, I visited three brand-new LSA developments. All are American. All are propelled by young engineers and enthusiasts. All are remarkably sophisticated. All companies have been successful at raising funds. And, perhaps most notably, all projects were started specifically because of the emergence of the Light-Sport Aircraft rule. *** All three are emphatically not reconfigured European microlights or vintage American designs...not that I have any objection to such aircraft. I am simply encouraged by fresh new designs from fresh young faces. Aviation needs that! *** My first example (others soon) is the Terrafugia Transition. Called a "roadable aircraft" rather than a "flying car," Terrafuguia does what others have done but in a new, far more practical way. Compared to the Transition, Molt Taylor's Aerocar is so last century. Transition folds its wings without leaving the cockpit. The company has produced a professional video that explains the concept and the award winning people behind it. *** Transition can cruise airborne at 115 mph or achieve highway speeds. Wingspan is 27.5 feet or 6.75 feet when folded (it fits in a regular garage stall). Using the 100-hp Rotax 912S for ground and air power, it can fly 460 miles on 20 gallons of fuel.

Recently, I visited three brand-new LSA developments. All are American. All are propelled by young engineers and enthusiasts. All are remarkably sophisticated. All companies have been successful at raising funds. And, perhaps most notably, all projects were started specifically because of the emergence of the Light-Sport Aircraft rule. *** All three are emphatically not reconfigured European microlights or vintage American designs…not that I have any objection to such aircraft. I am simply encouraged by fresh new designs from fresh young faces. Aviation needs that! *** My first example (others soon) is the Terrafugia Transition. Called a “roadable aircraft” rather than a “flying car,” Terrafuguia does what others have done but in a new, far more practical way. Compared to the Transition, Molt Taylor’s Aerocar is so last century. Transition folds its wings without leaving the cockpit. The company has produced a professional video that explains the concept and the award winning people behind it.