Samson Sky, which is developing the Switchblade Flying Car, has revealed a enhanced body design for what will be its production vehicles.
The flying car, which had its first flight in November 2023, has been in “production engineering” for the last year, which led to the new body design, according to company officials.
“The new design improves performance and shortens the pathway to production by transferring much of what worked well in the test vehicle that flew into the new streamlined design,” said Sam Bousfield, Samson Sky CEO and designer of the Switchblade, who noted that the new design is “simpler and much easier to build.”
“Everything we do is with the mindset of how we are going to produce thousands of Switchblades to meet the incredible demand we have,” he added.
The final design shows refinements for production, including folding side wing mirrors, a nose radiator inlet, a performance radiator outlet, headlights and tail lights.
Samson officials noted that the company’s existing reservations represent a potential sales value of over $450 million, with reservation holders from 57 countries, including all 50 U.S. states.
Company officials reported that they validated many key parameters during flight testing, adding that the new design “elevates the Switchblade to the next level.”
“Many people don’t know that a company developing a brand new aircraft never goes into production with their initial design,” Bousfield said. “There are always changes and modifications based on things learned from flight testing, and we’ve used these to improve even more on our original design, while keeping our signature swinging wings that tuck away completely inside the vehicle when driving.”
According to company officials, the test vehicle that flew in 2023 achieved the target of 125 mph in ground testing. The newest design changes are meant to achieve the company’s flying cruise speed target, according to company officials.
According to Bousfield, wind tunnel testing in May validated that the new design with the sleeker body and thruster propellers will allow Samson to meet its target of a 160-mph flying cruise speed.
“Since that time, the final styling that we accomplished, which is shown here, ended up reducing drag an additional 2%,” said Bousfield.
He explained that this gives Samson the green light for production with the enhanced body design.
Samson is building three production vehicles over the next 18 months to be used for intensive testing on every aspect of the vehicle, both flying and driving, prior to ramping up production.
The Switchblade Flying Sports Car is a street-legal, hybrid electric vehicle. Owners will be able to drive the car to the airport, then transform it into an airplane in less than three minutes. It seats two, side-by-side, and flies up to 500 miles on a single tank of premium auto gas.
Company officials note that the Switchblade is an experimental category aircraft, which means owners must build 51% of the vehicle. All Switchblade owners will spend one week at the Samson Builder Assist Center, building 51% of their Switchblade. Following this, Samson will complete the vehicle. Owners will have to have a private pilot certificate to fly the Switchblade, they added.
Estimated pricing starts at $170,000, which includes the builder assist program, company officials noted.
For more information: SamsonSky.com
I should’ve bought that Icon A-5…then I could’ve sold it…and bought 4 Switchblades…
I feel sorry for those sold and waiting for what was obviously a poor design.. to be completely redesigned again and again.
A practical aspect that caught my attention long-ago, about this design, are the wings.
The wings are rotated-forward/stored under the body in ‘automotive-mode’… and then swing-out/aft into position for ‘flight-mode’. In the stored position, under the body, the lower wing-skins appear vulnerable to damage from road roadway debris [FOD]; and when opened to the flight mode… are so close to the ground that inspecting the lower surface [underside] will require laying-down on your backside and ‘schooching-underneath/around’ to get an honest look-see for damage. and there is still the question of wing damage from FOD, being so close to the ground. I presume that this ‘vehicle’ is intended for paved roadways and runways in good condition… ONLY?
The marketable premise of this product needs to change. It’s really not a “flying car” but rather a “drivable aircraft.”
Marketing this to the masses is a dead-end. Once the average non-pilot understands the financial and personal investments in obtaining an FAA pilot’s certificate, staying medically qualified, the significant maintenance and insurance costs, and the fact that they will still be required to operate in regulated airspace, if they aren’t already a pilot or currently pursuing flying, there is really nobody to sell these things to other than current pilots. And even considering that, who the heck wants to fold up their wings and then drive home from the airport risking an accident? A pipe dream for sure.
A 3-wheeled car? Like the tuk-tuks of India? No thanks.
Fantastic. I would love to own one, unfortunately it is out of my toy affordable range. I’m hoping this is a viable product for you and that your company does well. Good luck