Flying Car Flying Cars. Terrafugia.

The Flying Car Has Arrived
You saw it in the movies. You read about it in old Sci Fi books. You saw it on the comic stands! And now they're here! You can fly your car. The FAA is at last giving permission for manufacturers to sell flying cars. So, if you've had enough of rush hour, and have a few hundred thousand lying about, forget the yacht! Buy the flying car

Price
At a price of just under $200,000, the Terrafugia Transition flying car is soon to be on the market . The manufacturers of the car say that it can be driven in the same way that a ground car can be driven, the only difference being that it can spread its wings and fly. Quite literally, like a moth or a beetle, the wings will fold under when the car is used on the ground, and will spread its wings when it's needed for take off.

Running Expenses
Running expenses are roughly the same as that for a car as it uses normal gas and does about 30 miles per gallon. In common with some cars on the road, it has front-wheel drive, has airbags for unexpected impacts, and can do a top speed of 115 miles per hour. It needs a runway of about a third of a mile.

License
You will, however, need a license to fly it, so it's time to go get that pilot's license.

Different Makes of Flying Cars
The Terrafugia isn't the only flying car out there. The concept has been around for a while, and there have been those who have been working on developing one for just as long.

Volante Aircraft also manufacture one, but this tends to look more like the front of a cockpit when traveling on its own. It also appears to have three wheels, which in times past, has been considered to be unstable.

Dr. Paul Moller has also invented a flying car. This one, however, looks more like the conventional flying saucer of UFO fame. It has a top speed of 50 mph. It isn't his only design, however. Named the M400 Skycar, it's more in line with a Transformer than anything General Motors or Ford produced.

 Pilot Training
If you're thinking of owning a flying car, some community colleges run courses that enable students to obtain their license. Normally, however, the cost of obtaining a private pilot's license is about $3000 or $4000. In order to obtain a pilot's license, you'll need to be at least 16 years old, and be fluent in English at all levels as this is the international pilot's language. Different schools run different courses, but on average, the ground course will be about five weeks, then you will do a written FAA test, then get 40 hours practice with your flying instructor, and then do your solo flight. There is also a final exam.

No Rush Hour Traffic!
It's a bit more difficult and more expensive getting a license for a flying car than a ground car, but you will have lots of friends, and for a while, at least, you'll have the 'roads' to yourself!