Yesterday, Terrafugia, Inc. announced that its proof-of-concept
flying car had successfully taken off and landed at Plattsburgh
International Airport in upstate New York. This vehiclewhich
requires a Sport Pilot license to flytakes 30 seconds to switch
between flying and driving, making it a "roadable aircraft." Its
wings fold up automatically and all parts, including the
propeller, are stored on the vehicle when its takes to the road.
The company claims this car was the first road-ready aircraft
ever to take flight. While this might be technically true, the
flight of Terrafugia's vehicle (which was a runway test
flightmore of a hop than a full flight.) has a lot more to prove
to make a big splash in the long history of the pursuit of a
production-ready flying car. In light of this news, we look back
at some of our favorite, quirkiest and most innovative flying
cars ever made. The First! (Approved to Fly) The first flying
car to be certified to fly by the governmentthen in the hands of
the Civil Aeronautics A