Company Bills The Vehicle A 'Flying Motorcycle'
It's the kind of a thing that you might have expected to show up
in a James Bond or Batman movie, and yet Samson Motor Works says it
is developing the Switchblade as an Experimental class kit aircraft
that is currently in the prototype phase. Anticipated kit price is
roughly $60,000 without engine or avionics, resulting in an overall
completed price of around $80,000. The target date for the first
flight is early 2010, with kit deliveries expected for later the
same year.
The composite frame with steel keel will be provided as a kit
aircraft meeting the newest FAA guidelines. State of the art fully
equipped Assembly Assistance Centers will provide expert training
and guidance to help reduce build time and ensure proper
construction. Switchblade MMV Learning Centers are being
established to provide valuable training experience for learning
how to drive and fly this unique Multi-Mode-Vehicle to take full
advantage of its capabilities.
Marketed as a "Multi-Mode Vehicle", Sampson envisions you'll be
able to drive to a nearby airport, extend the wings and fly to an
airport close to your destination at 160 MPH, then retract the
wings after landing and drive to the final destination enjoying the
fun and exhilaration of a power to weight ratio rivaling a Ferrari
California. The company says they expect that on the ground, the
Switchblade is targeted for 60 plus MPG and in the air is
anticipated to achieve 22 MPG at 130 MPH, operating on automotive
fuel.
That doesn't sound so bad.
An engineering mock-up will be revealed for the first time at
the Oshkosh. This full sized mock-up has an operable wing swing
mechanism and will provide the opportunity for attendees to sit in
the cabin and get a sense of the vehicle's size and
orientation.
The culmination of many years of design experience, research and
study, the Switchblade is the brainchild of successful inventor,
Sam Bousfield. According to Sam, this innovative concept is
intended to be relaxing and fun to fly. The innovative
three-surface design with main wings in the back serves a dual
purpose. The first is to keep the center of mass low and to the
rear so the potential for overturning in the ground mode is
minimized. Another important advantage of the three-surface design
is its stall resistant characteristics providing an added margin of
slow-flight performance and predictable flight handling.
"We are homing in on the Holy Grail of vehicles," says Sam.
"Outstanding performance, sleek styling and fuel efficiency, along
with low emissions and undeniable versatility. It all adds up to a
whole new era of green transportation."