It won't be long before we see the skies packed with automobiles as the first flying car is already on its way to completion.
Massachusetts-based Terrafugia Inc. is already working on getting the vehicle certified, as well as polishing last minute engineering for the flying car.
Named the Transition, the flying car made its grand debut at the New York Auto Show last year. And while it missed this year's trade show, the vehicle is already closer to being a market-available product than it was during its first public presentation.
"It doesn't seem like it was a year ago," Terrafugia Vice President of Sales Richard Gersh said, as reported by AOL. "We were in front of more people than at any other event we've participated in. It seems a little surreal. We're still getting major feedback from the show, and riding the wave."
Since last year, over 100 orders have been placed for the Transition, with buyers placing a deposit of $10,000 for the vehicle. Transition will have an initial market price of $279,000, just a couple of thousands cheaper than the 2013 Cessna 172 which is around $290,000.
So far, the flying car has already completed its first test flight. The aero-friendly prototype vehicle flew at 1,400 feet above the ground for eight minutes. Commercial jets fly at an average of 35,000 feet above ground.
The vehicle will be able to seat two passengers--including the driver/ pilot. It will have four wheels and two foldable wings so the car can drive on land.
According to Gersh, the company is focusing its efforts on the certification of the vehicle--a tricky process considering that it aims to be an air and ground vehicle.
"Certification is actively what we're working on," the Terrafugia VP explained.
Getting certification for Transition is much more complex than a typical automobile. Due to its dual nature, the car must be certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to drive on the streets of the USA.
As an airplane, AOL explains, the vehicle will be audited by the Federal Aviation Administration.
As an aircraft, it falls under the "light sport" category of Federal Aviation Administration rules that don't mandate the aircraft be certified before it goes on sale. Terrafugia can self-certify the aircraft. But as a matter of practice, the FAA will likely audit the company's manufacturing processes and risk-management procedures as soon as Terrafugia begins production at its Woburn, Mass., facility.
As to its production schedule and official release date, Gersh declined to discuss the specifics.