Terrafugia, the first flying car, will go on sale in the United States in 2019

It is an old dream from science fiction novels and films, but until now it was not possible to own one. Flying cars have taken prototype form many times, but they have never become reality. At least, until now. Because in 2019 the Terrafugia Transition will go on sale, the first flying car to be commercialised, owned by the Chinese company Geely. A model that was presented in 2010 and has suffered several delays in its commercialisation since then.

The Terrafugia Transition is a car that can also fly thanks to its propulsion system. This model is not exactly cheap: at the time its price was put at 279,000 dollars. Now, eight years later, it is possibly even more expensive and somewhat harder to get hold of. When it leaves the ground it runs on a petrol propulsion system and is capable of flying at a speed of 160 km/h, which is not bad at all.

Its range in flight mode is rated at 400 kilometres, a good distance that will allow this mode of travel to be enjoyed comfortably. As for road performance, no data has been specified, although it is expected to be able to travel at motorway speeds without problems. The transition between flying vehicle and road car occurs on landing, at the press of a button, which folds the wings and takes a shape better suited to road driving.

In flight it uses a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, while on the road it runs on a hybrid system. It has seating for two people, and to drive it you need a driving licence and a sport pilot certificate, so it is not a vehicle suitable for everyone, even if you have the money to buy it.

The vehicle has undergone many hours of testing and is generally ready to fulfil its function. What is not at all clear is the real functionality of this type of vehicle, what legislation will apply to them and how they will be able to move through airspace, since if drones have many limitations and are small vehicles, these vehicles will face even greater restrictions. Will they really be useful, or will they just be a whim to keep parked next to the supercar?