Terrafugia Transition Completes First Flight

Terrafugia Announces First Flight of the Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept      Hello again from Terrafugia! It is with great pleasure that we make the following announcement: The Terrafugia Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept successfully completed its first flight at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY on March 5, 2009.  The Transition® lifted smoothly off of Runway 17 in the early morning light.  The first flight was conducted within the runway environment and demonstrated the aircraft's stability and controllability. After 37 seconds, Col. Meteer executed a smooth landing and taxied safely to a full stop. The flight comes after six months of drive testing and taxi testing. Following a successful full vehicle inspection, flight testing continued with six additional flights proving out the vehicle's aerodynamics and smooth handling characteristics. "This flight is a symbol of a new freedom in aviation. It's what enthusiasts have been striving for since 1918," says Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia. By giving pilots a convenient ground transportation option, the Transition® reduces the cost, hassle, and weather sensitivity of personal aviation.  It also increases safety by incorporating automotive crash structures and allowing pilots to drive under bad weather.  The Transition® was flown by Phil Meteer, Colonel, USAFR (Ret). The chase aircraft was piloted by Giora Guth.  Said Col. Meteer: "The first flight was remarkably unremarkable. I've flown several thousand hours in everything from Piper Cubs to F-16s and the Transition® flew like a really nice airplane."  The Transition's stability and controllability in flight were demonstrated in a series of initial flights following the first takeoff and landing.  Now that the concept has been proven, the Terrafugia team will begin the process of adapting the lessons learned from this vehicle to the design of the next prototype. Footage and video of the flight testing as well as comments from the test pilot are now available through www.terrafugia.com. TheTransition® will temporarily be on exhibit at the Museum of Science, Boston on March18, 2009.  Current plans call for theTransition® to be on exhibit at Sun N Fun in Lakeland, FL and at AirVenture inOshkosh, WI.  Please see www.terrafugia.com/events.html for the most up to date listings.   A Personal Thanks from Carl Dietrich, Terrafugia CEO/CTO: I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the people who have brought us to where we are today.   The Terrafugia Team consistsof an outstanding group of engineers and business leaders with backgrounds ranging from the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics to big aerospace companies like GE, Northrup-Grumman, and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing),to a small Massachusetts electric vehicle startup company like Solectria, fromDraper laboratories to Arthur D. Little, and from the insurance industry to the competitive sailing industry.  You could not ask for a better team to develop this type of technology. This fantastic team would have not been able to accomplish what we have without the continued support of our network of investors and advisors.  This milestone is as much a cause for celebration for them as it is for us. These diligent individuals understand that the current mix of new technology and perfect timing has created a significant opportunity for Terrafugia.  I want to take thisopportunity to thank our corporate sponsors, SolidWorks and Cable Organizer.com who reached out to Terrafugia even before our vehicle concept was proven.  I also want to thank our corporate partners from the aviation industry who have supported our development program with in-kind assistance: Garmin, Bose, Icom, David-Clarke, Telex, CO Guardian, Aloft Technology, Plane Sights, and Dynon Avionics. Our company would not be on the path to success without the support of our friends in the aviation industry: Lockwood Aviation, Willis Aviation, USI, Ballistic Recovery Systems, Air Graphics, Plattsburgh International Airport, Sheltair Aviation Services, Lawrence Municipal Airport, Laurence G. Hanscom Field Airport, Freedom Aero Credit, Aviation Capital Experts, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, the EAA, and in particular our local chapter, EAA 106.  Finally I would like to thank the regulators who have been patiently working with us for the past few years -- in particular, our friends at the FAA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the EPA, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, and the Division of Insurance. Most importantly, thank you to our customers.  We look forward to delivering a fantastic product!       © 2008 Terrafugia