Welcome to the last eNewsletter for 2009. Where has the year gone? We will remember 2009 not just for the first flight of the Transition® Proof of Concept, but as a year in which we made great strides in the overall development of the next generation of personal aviation. We are most thankful for the support of the Terrafugia family -- of which you are a key part.
If you have questions about Terrafugia or the Transition®, please feel free to send us an email at info@terrafugia.com . We also appreciate your spreading the news by forwarding this email to a fellow aviation enthusiast. You can read past issues and sign up for yourself at:www.terrafugia.com/newsletter.html
The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo (http://www.sport-aviation-expo.com/) will be held from January 21-24, 2010 at the Sebring Regional Airport in Florida. This Expo is totally focused on Light Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilots. If past shows are any indication, you'll see all the latest in aircraft and related equipment, with free educational forums focusing on LSA and the Sport Pilot Certificate. Many of Terrafugia's business partners will also be exhibiting. A small Terrafugia team (though not the Proof of Concept) will be located at booth E-14; stop by to say hello!
Please note: the Proof of Concept will not be making the trip South.
Technical Update
While we are keeping the design of the next prototype under wraps, we continue to make great strides in its development here at Terrafugia. Reliability, maintainability and manufacturability are key focuses of this stage of the Transition's development, and the overall design optimization is progressing well. Several external design reviews have been completed since our last eNewsletter.
In addition, Terrafugia has engaged an Indianapolis design house with expertise in custom gearing and drivetrains for the automotive racing industry. We're combining their high performance transmission experience with the success of the Proof of Concept to create a custom power transfer mechanism. This mechanism, which shifts power between the propeller and the wheels, is both lighter in weight and more robust than the first generation system. As in the Proof of Concept, it will be actuated from inside the cockpit.
Not all the improvements are going to be under the skin either. A hand-picked team of industrial designers has joined our engineering staff to raise the bar for the Transition's look. We're starting to plan the big unveiling of the new design at a to-be-determined date. Stay tuned!
Happy Holidays!
To celebrate the Holidays, we have some new items in the Terrafugia Company Store. One of our favorites is a pewter ornament with a great photo of the Proof of Concept with the T-Rex model from the Boston Museum of Science. He's decked out in his holiday finery, and the contrast of past and future always makes us smile. Check them all out for a truly unique gift for the aviation enthusiasts on your list.
We wish you a happy Holiday Season and a joyous New Year!
This newsletter contains forward-looking statements. Information contained here and in all published performance predictions for the Transition® are preliminary and subject to change without notice. Please see www.terrafugia.com for the most up to date information.
