Just a year after its first flight, the Switchblade flying car from Samson Sky has moved closer to production with a redesigned model based on lessons learned during its initial test. This two-seater vehicle, which transforms from a road-legal car to a fixed-wing aircraft, aims to provide a flexible, dual-purpose transportation solution for the civilian market.
A dual-mode design
The Switchblade, developed by Oregon-based Samson Sky, combines ground and air travel in one package. On the road, it functions like a typical car, with its three-wheeled configuration and wings tucked neatly beneath its body. In this mode, the vehicle can reach a top ground speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), offering the flexibility of a car that can switch between ground and air travel. When ready for flight, the Switchblade extends its wings and tail within three minutes, transforming into a small aircraft that can take off from an airport or airstrip and land at another.
Once airborne, the Switchblade operates like a private plane. It runs on a hybrid power system that uses regular 91-octane gasoline, allowing for an estimated range of up to 500 miles (805 km) on a full 36-gallon (125-l) tank. After landing, the wings and tail retract, letting the vehicle travel directly to its final destination on the road.
Learning from the first flight
The Switchblade’s first flight took place at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, reaching an altitude of 500 feet (152 meters) and remaining airborne for six minutes. Future flights aim for an altitude of 13,000 feet (3,962 meters), but this initial test provided essential data to improve the design for production.
The most notable change in the new model is the folding mechanism for its two rear thruster propellers. Previously, these propellers were mounted in fixed scoops on the sides of the vehicle, but they now retract into the body when not in use, improving aerodynamics. According to Samson Sky, wind tunnel tests suggest this streamlined design should enable the Switchblade to reach its target cruising airspeed of 160 mph (257 km/h).
Ready for production
In addition to performance improvements, the updated design also considers ease of construction, which is critical as Samson Sky prepares for large-scale production. The company states it has already received around 2,300 reservations from potential buyers in 57 countries. Pricing for the Switchblade is expected to start at approximately $170,000.
“Everything we do is with the mindset of how we are going to produce thousands of Switchblades, to meet the incredible demand we have,” Samson Sky CEO Sam Bousfield shared.
The company is now building three new prototypes, which will undergo both air and ground testing over the next 18 months to refine the model further before production begins. This ambitious project represents a significant step toward the vision of accessible, personal air travel combined with the convenience of a road vehicle.
Source: Samson Sky
