Manufacturer Uses Flight Test Info to Improve and Streamline Final Kit

Almost exactly one year after its first flight, Samson Sky’s flying car is gearing up for production with a new and improved body design. The engineering team used information collected throughout flight testing to enhance performance and streamline construction of the Switchblade kit.

Though the latest model has several updates, it retains key features from the original Switchblade prototype. The manufacturer’s signature folding wings, which disappear into the vehicle when in drive mode, will still be used. The aircraft is intended to support two side-by-side occupants plus baggage and fly for up to 500 miles on one tank of autogas.

The extensive flight test process pointed out a few areas of improvement for the flying car. Samson Sky went back to the drawing room and refined its folding mirrors, nose inlet, radiator outlet, and lighting systems along with designing an overall sleeker body.

“The final styling that we accomplished, which is shown here, ended up reducing drag an additional 2%,” stated Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky. “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.”

The original vehicle achieved its 125 mph goal for ground testing, but lagged behind its cruise speed goal of 160 mph. After testing the latest production model, however, Samson Sky has claimed that the Switchblade should be able to hit its target and move into production.

Samson Sky is in the process of assembling three vehicles for further ground and flight testing before it can begin fulfilling orders. The Switchblade is already making waves in reservations, earning 115 orders valued at nearly $22 million at the 2024 Oshkosh Airventure alone.

“Everything we do is with the mindset of how we are going to produce thousands of Switchblades, to meet the incredible demand we have,” Bousfield continued.

FMI: www.samsonsky.com