Flying Cars Are REAL -- And Hybrids!

Why yes, this hybrid car DOES have wings!
The pic (above) is the next-gen TF-X, and it will be a street legal plug-in hybrid car that has collapsible wings, retractable propellers, and is capable of driving and flying on its own in the event of an emergency. Emergency? More like EVERY TIME WE NEED TO GO TO WORK!
The side effect of this kind of vehicle is that it will both revitalize under-utilized regional airports and alleviate traffic congestion! The FAA has even classified the original Transition (TF-X its the new version) as a Light-Sport Aircraft, which means drivers don’t need a pilot’s license, just FAA certification!
The TF-X will seat four and run on electricity, and the engine will recharge the batteries in the air. It can also be plugged in! The best part is that it will have a non-stop flight range of at least 500 miles, and according to the source:

‘is expected to be able to automatically avoid other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace, according to the website, as well as implement an emergency auto-land at the nearest airport, if the operator became unresponsive!’

It’s going to have a parachute system in place too, to stop horrible crashes. You can learn to use it in about 5 hours, and get your certification in 20 hours. Unfortch we’re looking at 8-12 years of development before they’re available for purchase — but the Transition will be ready for us way before that!
[Image via Terrafugia.]