Please see the Transition® Specifications and Supplemental Information sheets as well as the answers below.
Q: What on-road protection is the Transition® outfitted with?
A: The Transition® comes with standard 2.5 mph bumpers, front and rear crumple-zones, a passenger safety cage, and airbags for both the driver and passenger.
Q: What kind of engine will power the Transition®?
A: The Transition® will use the Rotax 912 ULS – a 100hp, 4 stroke engine that is FAA certified to run on both high octane (>91) autogas or 100LL. The same engine powers the propeller in the air and the front wheels, through a familiar clutch and transmission drive system, on the ground.
Q: Will the Transition® be able to use ethanol-containing gasoline?
A: Rotax, the engine manufacturer, has stated that use of 5% ethanol gasoline mixtures is acceptable. There is field evidence to suggest that 10% can also be used without any problems. For the complete and official answer to this question, please refer to the engine manufacturer’s specs and endorsements. However, in general more problems arise from fuel systems that are incompatible with the ethanol content than from the engine. As ethanol-gasoline mixtures are a fact of life today, the Transition®’s fuel system will be designed to be safe with ethanol.
Q: Does the Transition® have license plates?
A: Yes, as a registered passenger vehicle, you will need to have license plates for your Transition®. The front license plate (if required in your state) rests inside a clear aerodynamic faring on the nose of the vehicle, while the rear plate is embedded in the lower surface of the elevator and is displayed on the road as the elevator tilts vertically.
Q: Does the Transition® have bumpers?
A: Yes, Terrafugia has patent-pending aerodynamic bumper technology that will allow the Transition® to receive the regulation 2.5mph impact without damage to the airframe.
Q: What is the useful load of the Transition®?
A: Current design estimates place the useful load of the Transition® at 550 lbs (250 kg) while still maintaining the LSA gross take-off weight limit of 1320 lbs (600 kg). This 550 lbs can be divided among people, bags, or fuel.
Q: How much fuel can the Transition® carry and what range does it have?
A: The Transition® has a 20 gallon (120 lb, 54 kg) gas tank. With a full tank, at 75% power, the Transition® has a range of 400 nm (460 mi, 740 km).
Q: How does the wing folding mechanism work?
A: The wing folding mechanism is one of Terrafugia’s patent-pending systems, but the bottom line is that the hinge mechanism is elegant, easy to use, and safe. (While the details of the Terrafugia design are different, military aircraft with folding wings are well established on carrier ships.) A single linear-electric actuator located in the root of each wing drives the motion in both of that wing’s folds. The locking pins that carry the structural load in flight are designed to not only be fail-safe, but also highly accessible to the pilot during preflight. A simple visual and tactile check will let the pilot know that everything is ready to fly. To engage the actuator, the pilot will simply have to push a button in the cockpit – after stopping the engine and entering his personal identification code into the display for security and safety purposes. No wrenches required.
Q: What is the Transition® made of?
A: The Transition® is primarily composite construction, using aluminum and other modern materials where advantageous for vehicle safety and weight.
Q: What is the wing loading in the air?
A: The Transition®’s wing loading in the air is approximately 8.8lbs/sq. foot (43 kg / m^2). This is comparable to that of other small Light Sport or General Aviation aircraft.
Q: Have you considered a three-wheeled design?
A: Yes, a three-wheeled design has been considered. Since three-wheeled vehicles are currently classified as motorcycles under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, going with this configuration would be the easiest path forward. However, Terrafugia believes that a four wheel design more effectively meets the safety and functionality needs of our customers. As such, we are beginning the process of working with the NHTSA to establish the appropriate guidelines and exceptions for the Transition® within the current regulatory environment. Eventually, we plan to go through the rule making process with the NHTSA to recognize and regulate the Transition® for what it is - a new type of vehicle designed to operate safely both in the air and on the ground.
Q: Has a remote-controlled Transition® been flown?
A: Yes, a 1/5th scale RC Transition® flew successfully at Shirley, MA in the spring of 2007. The relevant press release is available here. Previously, a 1/5th scale wind tunnel model was tested at MIT's Wright Brother's Wind Tunnel. That press release is available here.