A year after being declared flightworthy by the FAA, and 14 years after being announced, the Samson Sky Switchblade flying car has officially taken flight for the first time.
Samson Sky, maker of the two-seat Switchblade, which it calls a “flying sports car,” announced thata prototype of this flying vehicle had made its first flight. The first flight took place under cloudy skies, but with calm winds.
The Samson Sky team, positioned along the runway, eagerly watched as the Switchblade took off smoothly and flew to an altitude of 152 meters. Rising above the track and surrounding hillsthe Switchblade remained in the air for almost six minutes, then lightly touched the ground, completing its maiden flight.
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This flying car can fit in your garage
The Switchblade is un three-wheeled vehicle, approved for road traffic, which can be parked in your garage. In fact, since its wings are retractable, you just need to press a button to allow it to enter your garage.
To use it, owners will need to travel to the nearest airport, where the wings and tail will deploy in less than three minutes. Once in flight mode, it transforms by plane capable of reaching approximately 322 km/h and an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters.
The long-awaited two-seater car has already received 2,300 reservations from 57 countries and all 50 US states. At the moment, we don’t really know when this vehicle will be marketed, but we already have an idea of its price: around 150,000 euros for a version capable of operating in clear weather, and another for almost 200,000 euros that can fly in different weather conditions, including in clouds and with zero visibility. For now, Samson Sky will have to navigate the challenges of large-scale production and ensure the vehicle meets all safety and reliability standards.
The company released a video showing the approved aircraft rising above the runway for the first time at Grant County International Airport (KMWH) in Lake Moses, Washington, which did not is no stranger to test flights. Boeing and other major aircraft manufacturers often use it to conduct their own tests.