A groundbreaking moment unfolded as the pioneering flying car’s Switchblade completed its inaugural test flight. Departing from the Grant County Airport in Washington state, seasoned test pilot Robert Moehle guided the vehicle through its maiden voyage with precision and skill.
The Samson Sky, the visionary company behind this innovative flying sports car, reported that the Switchblade gracefully ascended to an altitude of 500 feet. With the sprawling airport and majestic foothills as its backdrop, the Switchblade soared for close to six minutes before gently returning to earth, marking a triumphant conclusion to its first flight.
Reflecting on the experience, Moehle expressed satisfaction, remarking on the Switchblade’s impressive handling. “I’m thrilled to have been at the controls for its inaugural flight,” he shared.
Moehle’s extensive aviation background, boasting 2,400 flight hours across 56 aircraft types, has proven invaluable to developing the Switchblade prototype. His insights have contributed significantly to refining the vehicle’s flight capabilities.
Sam Bousfield, the CEO and visionary designer of the Switchblade at Samson Sky celebrated this milestone achievement after years of meticulous design and testing. “After 14 years of dedication, our maiden flight marks a monumental moment,” Bousfield exclaimed.
Moving forward, the Samson team will leverage the valuable flight test data to fine-tune production engineering and craft multiple production prototypes, heralding the next phase in the Switchblade’s journey towards revolutionizing personal transportation.
Samson Sky’s mission
Backed by a global network of technical resources, Samson Sky stands ready to spearhead a wave of groundbreaking technological innovations. At the forefront of these endeavours is the advancement of transportation solutions, particularly within aviation technology. With dedicated focus and ongoing initiatives, the company is committed to pioneering more practical, efficient, and affordable alternatives to conventional modes of transportation.
“The future begins tomorrow, and that future is what we create. This is true for an individual, a business, and a society. With the continued expansion of modern lifestyles around the globe, we must include a reduction of environmental footprint to maintain or increase the quality of life. By increasing the use of point-to-point transportation, we can accomplish an increase in transportation speed, a reduction in required infrastructure, a lessening of time in transit, and a reduction in fuel consumption compared to existing transportation models. Samson Sky is positioned to become the leader in the point-to-point transportation market, which we feel will become the status quo in 21st century travel,” Samson Sky states.
Switchblade flying sports car
The Switchblade represents a groundbreaking concept: a street-legal three-wheel vehicle that seamlessly transitions from road to air travel. Imagine driving it from your garage to the nearest local airport, where its wings extend and tail unfurls in under three minutes. Within moments, you’re airborne in your registered aircraft, soaring towards your destination at speeds of up to 200 mph and heights of 13,000 feet. Upon arrival, effortlessly transform the flying sports car back into driving mode with its wings securely stowed and protected, allowing you to continue your journey to your final destination easily.
Dimensions
| Seats | 2, side-by-side |
| Estimated MGTOW | 1,850 lb / 840 kg (Max. Gross Take-Off Weight ) |
| Estimated Payload | 575 lb / 260 kg (people, bags, fuel) |
| Length (ground mode) | 16.8 ft / 5.1 m |
| Length (flight mode) | 20.2 ft / 6.2 m |
| Vehicle Width | 6 ft / 1.8 m |
| Height | 5.1 ft / 1.5 m (top of body) |
| Wing Span | 26.9 ft / 8.2 m |
| Wing Loading | 27 psf/132 kg/m2 |
| Fuel Capacity | 36 gal. including reserves / 125 L |
Performance
| Maximum Airspeed | 200 mph / 305 kph |
| Cruise Speed | 160 mph / 257 kph |
| Max Driving Speed | 125+ mph / 201+ kph |
| Maximum Range | 450 miles / 724 km |
| Take-off Distance | 1,100 ft / 335 m |
| Landing Distance | 700 ft / 213 m |
| Stall Speed (w/ flaps) | 67 mph / 108 kph |
