A Groundbreaking Milestone: Geely Technology Group's Telli TF-1 Wins World's First FAA Airworthiness Certificate for a Flying Car

        On January 15, U.S. Eastern Time, the Terrafugia Transition (TF-1), a product under Geely Technology Group, received an airworthiness certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This marks the first time the FAA has issued an airworthiness certificate to a modern flying car product. The certificate confirms that the Transition (TF-1) boasts a well-designed structure and reliable safety performance. This milestone also highlights the progress made by Geely Technology Group in establishing an innovative technology system that seamlessly integrates automotive and aviation technologies for its flying car development.

FAA Issues Airworthiness Certificate to Terrafugia

The U.S. FAA airworthiness certificate is one of the most challenging certifications to obtain worldwide, with its airworthiness requirements being exceptionally stringent. Globally, fewer than three companies have successfully secured either an FAA or EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) airworthiness certificate for their land-and-air dual-use flying cars—Geely Technology Group’s Terrafugia Transition (TF-1) stands out as a leading example. This achievement clearly underscores Geely Technology Group’s forward-thinking and strategic approach in the general aviation sector.
Kevin Colburn, Vice President of Terrafugia, shared that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team spent several months completing 80 days of flight tests and delivering 150 technical documents. Despite challenges such as supply chain disruptions and travel restrictions, they successfully passed the FAA's rigorous review of the development process, design documentation, and flight test data, ultimately earning the LSA (Light-Sport Aircraft) airworthiness certificate for their vehicle. Xu Zhihao, Director of Geely Holding Group and CEO of Geely Technology Group, expressed his congratulations: "Geely Technology Group has established an innovative technology system that seamlessly integrates automotive and aviation technologies in the realm of flying cars. The Terrafugia team’s swift achievement of the FAA airworthiness certification is a testament to their exceptional capabilities, demonstrating that regulatory authorities fully recognize both the product’s cutting-edge technology and its unwavering reliability. This milestone marks a significant leap forward for the Transition (TF-1) as it moves closer to commercialization."

The TaiLi Flying Car Transition (TF-1), which has just received its airworthiness certificate, features a unique design that seamlessly balances the needs of both ground driving and aerial flight. On roads, its foldable wings are retracted on both sides, allowing it to maintain a standard, stable form suitable for urban traffic conditions. When fully deployed, however, the car transforms into a capable aircraft, effortlessly combining the flexibility of ground travel with the freedom of airborne flight.

Additionally, the body of the Taili Flying Car Transition (TF-1) is constructed largely from composite materials and incorporates hybrid propulsion technology—using aviation gasoline during flight. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of up to 850 kg, a cruising speed of 167 km/h, a cruising altitude of up to 3,000 meters, and a range of up to 670 kilometers, capable of carrying two passengers. Compared to conventional cars, this type of low-altitude aircraft can significantly enhance transportation efficiency.

On the operating system, it features an innovative powertrain system that enables rapid transitions between flight and ground driving modes, while integrating safety equipment typically found in both aircraft and automobiles—such as airbags, anti-collision beams, and a full-aircraft parachute—to maximize driving safety. The Transition (TF-1), powered by hybrid technology, has officially received FAA airworthiness certification, marking the beginning of a new phase in the development of Terrafugia's Transition (TF-1). This milestone not only signifies its legal capability to take flight but also paves the way for obtaining public road-driving approval. Driven by market demand, the company is now advancing product development and certification efforts, taking a crucial step toward commercialization.

(Editor: Wang Jiaxu)

Translated from Sina Auto

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