Look! Up in the air! A real-life $279,000 flying car (pictures)

OSHKOSH, Wis. -- Who doesn't want to see a flying car?

Though it has been talked about for years and has even been seen at car shows and via online videos, Terrafugia's flying car had never been seen in the air in public before. That is until Wednesday, when it made its public flying debut at the EAA AirVenture air show in OshKosh.

As part of Road Trip 2013, CNET's Daniel Terdiman got a chance to see the flying car actually fly. And then drive away.

Here is Terrafugia's promotional blurb for its $279,000 hybrid:

"The Transition is the transportation of the future today. A street-legal airplane that converts between flying and driving modes in under a minute, the Transition brings a new level of freedom, flexibility, and fun to personal aviation.

"It gives the pilot the option to land and drive in bad weather, provides integrated ground transportation on both ends of the flight, and fits in a standard single car garage at home. The Transition can fly in and out of over 5,000 public airports in the U.S. and is legal to drive on public roads and highways.

"It is the only light aircraft designed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and it is also equipped with a full-vehicle parachute for additional safety."

The Transition sits along the flight line at OshKosh, preparing for its demonstration flight. Its wings unfolded, as they must be for flying.

The plane has a top speed of about 100 miles an hour, and has a range of about 410 miles. It gets about five gallons per hour in the sky, and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

As the Transition flies above the crowd of thousands at sunset, it catches a few last rays of the gorgeous Wisconsin sun.

The Transition features automated electromechanical folding, rear wheel drive on the road, and automotive style entry, exit, and seating. It doesn't need a hangar since it can fit in a standard house garage. It also has both a steering wheel and stick and rudders.

The Transition flies directly toward the AirVenture air show crowd.

The Transition is seen in the air with its right side to the crowd.

The flying car can be driven to a location if it can't fly because of inclement weather, and has a 100 hp Rotax 912iS engine. It also features a vehicle parachute, and modern glass avionics, Terrafugia says, as well as standard automotive crash safety features including driver and passenger air bags.

The Transition is seen banking to the right at the EAA AirVentures air show in OshKosh, Wis.

A look at the underside of the Transition as it soars overhead at the air show.

After completing its public performance, the Transition taxis in from the air strip.

Taxiing in, the Transition's wings are still down.

Ready to drive, the flying car's wings are automatically folded up at the push of a button.

Just minutes after landing, the Transition is street-legal and driving away.