Samson Sky, producers of the Switchblade Flying Car, has developed a specialized hybrid electric drive system called Skybrid Technology.
The proprietary Skybrid Technology is powered by a 260 hp four-cylinder internal combustion engine that is liquid-cooled, sourced from the automotive industry, and runs on premium auto gas.
Samson is modifying the engine for aircraft use and has rebadged it as the Samson-4, according to company officials.
The gas engine powers a generator, which directs power to electric motors that power the wheels when driving or to separate electric motors for the propellers when flying. For redundancy there are two electric motors in each of the two propeller pods.
According to Samson officials, another benefit of Skybrid for the flying car is reverse thrust, which temporarily redirects the thrust in the opposite direction of its forward motion.
“It actually acts like a drag parachute, which provides air brake assist and slows down the plane on the runway after touchdown,” said Sam Bousfield, CEO.
The vehicle is also equipped with high-performance racing brakes at all wheels, he noted.
“By running the motors directly from the generator to the wheels and the propellers, it is simpler, lighter, more efficient, and only a small battery pack will be required,” said Bousfield. “There is very little wasted energy, which means less fuel is needed to travel the same distance.”
The Switchblade Flying Sports Car is a street-legal, hybrid electric vehicle that seats two, side-by-side, and flies up to 500 miles on a single tank of premium auto gas.
Owners will need a private pilot certificate to fly the Switchblade, which is an experimental category aircraft. As with all experimental aircraft, the FAA mandates that the owner 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 employees will complete the vehicle.
For more information: SamsonSky.com
With SAFETY being a major aviation topic, I have to think about driving an airplane on public throughfares which contain pot holes, railroad crossings, other vehicles driven by John Q public with total disregard for others and traffic laws. Nope, not going to be me in that airplane.
I’m stupefied by stupidity of some comments.
Why don’t they pattern this around a Toyota hybrid. They have been using this type of technology for decades?
On the list. I hope they get the production sorted and start producing them. I hope they suceed and get to my production number at least within 4 or 5 years. So much competition for funding with the evtol hype machine. Nothing wrong with those concepts, but some people prefer an aircraft with wings instead of rotors and don’t mind driving to the airport and flying it like an airplane. No hanger needed as it fits in a garage? Awesome. Last mile transportation solved? Yes, please! No leaded Avgas issues? Weather came in and you cant fly out? Drive clear or it. So many problems solved by this concept. Arguments about driving it on the road being and risking collisions are true, but that applies to any expensive ground vehicle. Basically, a sports car that can also fly at decent speed or an aircraft that is also a decent ground vehicle. Plus, anyone remember MASK? Haha.
We need buy flying car for personal and Passenger (Both),We need to know the price
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
If you have the wherewithal to purchase a 250K Rolls and don’t drive it due to being worried about nicking it due to thousands of dollars in repair costs, then consider the massive flexibility you have for the same 250K to drive or fly…..Anyone who fights these values due to worrying about damage are basically broke to begin with so look elsewhere for this style/configuration of transport….
Well interesting
Saw the original one at Oshkosh. This one’s gonna take years and years to perfect. Don’t think it’s ever really going to be viable. Too complicated.
This will be fascinating if they can get this version off the ground.
The company has an experimental R&D model. They had it (a simpler version that flew) at Oshkosh this summer (2024). In the earlier version that’s flown, it had one big ducted propeller built into the body. I don’t know if that one had an electric drive train, or if it was direct-drive off the engine.
If they get a version like pictured here flying that has an electric drivetrain, then perhaps they’ll be able to make something go. I wish them the best.
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the way.
Why do we try to limit people’s ambition? Samson Sky may not be the next ‘success’ but lessons learned from its success or failure could be the stepping stones to the next major advancement of air or land travel. I won’t drive a Cyber Truck or a Samson Sky, but when I see my first Samson Sky, I’ll be as thrilled as when I spot a Cyber Truck. We don’t have to be ‘for it’, but neither do we have to be ‘against it’. I’m happy to be an innocent spectator to the wonder of mankind’s innovation, imagination, and ambition within our Creator’s scientific constraints (physics, engineering, etc.). What an exciting time!
Hear, HEAR!!!!
Let’s call these machines what they really are….”road-drivable aircraft.”
Who amongst us is willing to take our aircraft on a public road, with the potential dangers of drunk or inattentive drivers creating potential accidents. Can you imagine the paperwork required to get your “flying car” repaired with the FAA involved? (Maybe your local body shop can fix it right? Oh, but who will sign off the logbook?)
What a warm-and-fuzzy feeling I’m getting already thinking about sitting at a traffic light with that garbage truck quickly approaching from behind…..wondering if he’s going to stop.
You don’t have to put much thought into this to realize that not much thought has been put into this.
If you only knew. More thought than your comment for sure.
Absolutely!!!
Good luck with that Rolls Royce of yours…..