The Terrafugia TF-X is the first fully autonomous flying car under development by Boston-based Terrafugia. Its expected release date is listed as eight to twelve years.
This app is a simple Proof-of-concept companion to the flying car. It is meant for a small audience of investors and board members to seek feedback, and as such not expected to be used by very many users.
• The TF-X™ is a fixed wing street-legal aircraft with electric ground drive and electric power assist on takeoff and landing.
• The TF-X™ will be able to recharge its batteries either from its engine or by plugging in to electric car charging stations.
• The TF-X™ will be capable of “auto-landing” at approved landing sites within approved weather limits.
• Prior to departure, the operator will select a primary target landing zone and backup landing zones. If the TF-X™ calculates insufficient energy on board to conduct last minute aborts at the first two sites and safely navigate to and land at the third within a 30 minute reserve, or if the forecast weather in any of the three landing zones would be outside the allowable limits, or if any of the selected landing zones are in temporarily restricted airspace (TFRs), departure will not be allowed until appropriate landing zones are selected.
• If manual operation (sightseeing) or changing weather causes the second backup landing zone to fall outside the range of the limits, the operator will be notified and prompted to select new landing zones within the new restrictions.
• The TF-X™ operator will have final say over whether an approved landing zone is actually a safe place in which to land, and they may abort the landing attempt at any time.
• Aborting the third landing at the end of an extended flight would result in the automatic declaration of an emergency and a horizontal (airplane-like) landing at the nearest airport.
• Normal TF-X™ operations will be conducted only in non-tower controlled airspace (Class E and G) and on the ground. Operators who wish to operate in tower controlled airspace (Class B, C, or D) will be able to get additional training.
• Licensed TF-X™ operators will be allowed to apply to add new landing zones to an approved landing zone database.
• The TF-X™ will advise the operator if they are approaching restricted or tower-controlled airspace, or unnecessarily increasing the risk to human life (as could happen through carelessness, bad intentions, or if the operator becomes incapacitated). If the operator does not take the appropriate corrective action, the TF-X™ vehicle will automatically notify authorities by “declaring an emergency” on behalf of the operator.