Flying Sports Car Switchblade Redesign Introduced

Flying sports car company Samson Sky introduced a new design for its production vehicles at the AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this week.

The new body style of the Switchblade flying car is more streamlined than the previous version and has an increased wing area. 

The redesigned vehicle has a sleeker body and a decreased takeoff and landing speed.

“We validated many parameters during flight testing including stability in all three axis, positive control authority, balanced control feel and effectiveness of the flaps for descent and landing,” said Samson Sky CEO and founder Sam Bousfield. “We also validated that we needed more thrust and less drag.”

To fly the switchblade, the wings swing out and the tail extends in fewer than three minutes for takeoff from a local airport, according to the company. It can travel at speeds up to 200 mph and up to 13,000 feet and requires a landing distance of 700 feet.

The vehicle has a hybrid electric system that uses unleaded gas, and it can be fueled at a gas station. The new version has an increased fuel capacity of 40 gallons.

On the ground, the three-wheel vehicle has a top speed of 125 mph with a maximum range of 450 miles.

The maiden flight of the Switchblade took place last year at Lake Moses, Washington.

Related:Flying Sports Car Takes Test Flight; A $170,000 Vehicle

The prototype test vehicle took off and flew at 500 feet and the craft flew for nearly six minutes before landing.

The vehicle can be registered as an Experimental Category aircraft and as a custom motorcycle or kit car on the ground, depending on local regulations. 

Flying cars are now approved to drive to airports on some state roads and highways, with Minnesota becoming the second state to approve such flying car road travel, following similar legislation passed in New Hampshire several years ago.

Samson Sky was a main proponent and supporter of the legislation.

The Minnesota law specifies that drivers of roadable aircraft are required to adhere to the rules of the road while driving, the same as other motor vehicles. 

Samson Sky has been pushing states to adopt legislation to allow flying cars like the Switchblade to legally drive on roads so they can get to an airport to take off, not necessarily a swift legislative process.

States that delay take the chance of missing being part of the electric aerial revolution.

Samson was granted a patent for its wing-swing design by the European Union, bringing the number of patents to six for the Oregon company.

The Minnesota and New Hampshire laws relate only to the road-driving part. The flying part is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Related:Flying Cars Allowed to Drive on Roads in Minnesota

Samson Sky said it has received more than 2,400 reservations valued at more than $405 million from people in more than 50 countries and all U.S. states to purchase the $170,000 Switchblade.

The vehicle needs to be flown under Visual Flight Rules (VRF) or can be customized for pilots certified to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Flying the vehicle would require a Private Pilot Certificate.

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