Ever have that moment when you are sitting in 45 minutes of traffic because people can’t seem to grasp the concept of merging and you just wish you could fly past them all and get home already? Pretty soon you may be able to do just that, if you have a runway of course. The Massachusetts based company Terrafugia Inc., is hoping to have their flying car, called the Transition, on the market by years’ end. That’s right a flying car.
Since the 1930’s inventors around the world have racked their brains trying to create a car that could take flight. The Transition did get some air when it reached 1,400 feet and flew for eight minutes. Due to its size, weight, and speed capabilities this air-car falls under the Federal Aviation Administration guidelines for light sport aircrafts. Pilots of this type of aircraft will still be required to undergo flight training and testing in addition to holding their regular driver’s license (you will need both to operate the Transition). Of course all of these regulations are set in place for the safety of the operator and in turn everyone that could potentially be harmed, which is definitely a must. Our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys would not want to see this aircraft (motor vehicle?) harm anyone.
Photo credit: New York Times.
Unfortunately the car-plane will not be as fun as the images you are most likely having in your mind. First, you cannot just take off while sitting in traffic and breeze by everyone—the Transition still needs a runway like any other plane to get in the air. Also, it looks like a plane (I know I was picturing the Jetson’s car too!) and frankly, it is unattractive. The cherry on top is the price—about $300,000. While there have already been approximately 100 people that have put down $10,000 deposits to get their Transition when it is finally released, there probably won’t be a major market for them.
Photo credit: Washington Post.
The Washington Post spoke with Robert Mann, who is the owner of R.W. Mann & Co. in Port Washington, N.Y and is an airline industry analyst, and he further drove home the fact that there is no sustainable market for this type of vehicle.
“This is not going to be an inexpensive aircraft to produce or market,” Mann said. “It has some uniqueness, and will get some sales, but the question is, could it ever be a profitable enterprise?”
There is a whole other side to the introduction of this type of vehicle as well with regards to safety, insurance, and law enforcement. You can almost bet on the fact that most insurance companies will not be willing to insure the Transition. Even if they would, what type of insurance would you need to seek out? Auto? Aircraft? Both? Insurance is a huge concern with such a new concept of transportation because it is not known whether or not there will be a lot of accidents associated with the Transition.
Photo credit: Washington Post.
Which leads to the next point, what kind of safety is contained within the aircraft? Does it have the safety features you expect (and are required) in a car such as seatbelts, airbags, antilock brakes, etc. How about the safety for when it is in flight? Are their parachutes or an emergency ejecting of any sort? This seems like a lot of safety concerns for just one vehicle and potentially more concerns than can reasonably be addressed.
Finally there is enforcement. When the Transition is on the road, hopefully they will be held to the same laws and standards as any other vehicle, but what about when it is in flight? What would be stopping someone from bringing alcohol in their plane and drinking while in air?
Without answers to these important safety concerns and aspects of the Transition it would be unwise to buy into the hype. There is no knowing without more information how dangerous and potentially deadly these vehicles may be. Accidents do happen, but combining the dangers of both a car and an aircraft can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash, contact Console & Hollawell’s skilled accident attorneys in Philadelphia by calling (866) 778-5500.
Main photo credit: The Guardian.
