SG1P Switchblade at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2023
Role
Amateur-built roadable aircraft
Type of aircraft
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Samson Motorworks
Designer
Swift Engineering[1]
First flight
9 November 2023
Introduction
2009 as a mock-up
Status
Under development (2015)
The Samson Switchblade is an American amateur-built roadable aircraft, under development by Samson Motorworks of Meadow Vista, California. It was publicly introduced at AirVenture in 2009 in mock-up form. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction initially and possibly as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft in the future.[2][3][4]
The design effort is being led by Samson CEO Sam Bousfield, assisted by aeronautical design firm DAR Corp of Lawrence, Kansas. First flight of the full-sized aircraft was originally forecast in 2009 for 2010, but by July 2012 only a 1/4 scale model had been flown.[3][5] In February 2014 the design had passed through the final round of wind tunnel testing, and in March 2014 the first carbon fiber parts were made for the conforming flying prototype.[6]
By February 2016 the carbon fiber wings and folding mechanism had been prototyped.[7]
In February 2018 the company indicated it intended to fly a prototype before year end.[8] That goal was not met and in July 2019 the company indicated it was still working towards a first flight.[9]
^Dixit, Namrata (3 June 2009). "Multi Mode Vehicles from Samson Motorworks will make flying cars a reality". Luxurylaunches. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 118. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
^ abGrady, Mary (25 April 2009). ""Flying Motorcycle" Prototype Coming Soon, Company Says". AVweb. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
^Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 124. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
^Samson Motorworks (14 July 2012). "Switchblade Update". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
^"Switchblade Update".
^General Aviation News Staff. "Switchblade flying car development advances". General Aviation News. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
^Niles, Russ (26 February 2018). "Video: SamsonSky Switchblade". AVweb. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
^Bertorelli, Paul (26 July 2019). "Samson Switchblade Shows Off A New Panel". AVweb. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
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