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[Nicole]

It's a concept that’s been around for decades but never really seems to get off the ground. But aviation experts are now saying a flying car could be in regular use in the UK within five years after a model was formally approved by U.S. authorities. The $250,000 (£155,000) Terrafugia Transition is a two-seater aircraft which has a top speed of 115mph, a range of 500 miles on a tank of fuel and requires just 20 hours training to fly.

At the touch of a button it takes just 15 seconds for the wings to fold up automatically and the power to be re-routed from the propeller to the rear wheels. It can then be driven at up to 65mph and will comfortably fit in a standard size garage. ‘It’s like a little Transformer,’ said Terrafugia founder Carl Dietrich, referring to the children’s toys that were turned into a blockbuster movie franchise.

Although aimed primarily at buyers in the U.S. where there are plenty of airstrips and 600 ‘fly-in’ communities – Boeing 707 owner John Travolta being the best-known fan – more than 20 Britons have already declared an interest in the carbon-fibre vehicle. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, who set a world record for a cross-Channel journey in an amphibious car, said: ‘What a great idea. I’d absolutely like to hear more and I’m going to look into it myself.’


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