Samson Motors’ Switchblade Flying Sports Car, being built in Prineville, has been making steady progress building their full scale carbon fiber prototype, which they plan to fly later this fall. Recently, Switchblade designer and Samson Motors CEO, Sam Bousfield was featured on KBNZ/KOHD’s myWindow, a television show about local business people who are doing innovative, exciting things.
CFO, Leland Thoburn, who was CFO for Earthlink until it went public said: “Samson opens the door to a completely new consumer experience. This is very rare. Most startups offer refinements on existing products or services, and while that’s all well and good, and money can be made that way, the most exciting opportunities are those that open new doors. That is what Samson does that makes it so exciting.”
Always curious about such a ground-breaking project, we checked in recently to see how things were progressing. Over the past year they have completely redesigned the tail of what they call their Multi-Mode Vehicle (MMV) as a result of wind tunnel testing at the University of Washington. “We now have an A+ in aerodynamics,” quipped Bousfield.
With this major design hurdle behind them, and hard data validating how well their aircraft would perform, they have been building their full scale flying prototype in their hangar at the Prineville airport.
Many of the Switchblade’s systems are advancing simultaneously toward a completed vehicle, but there is one major milestone approaching that is the center of their focus, and that is the completion of the Switchblade’s folding, carbon fiber wings and proprietary hinge-beam assembly.
“Completing the wings of the prototype will be a big milestone – this is the heart of the Switchblade,” stated Bousfield. According to Bousfield, Discovery Channel has a film crew standing by to document the success of the Switchblade’s knife-like wing folding mechanisms. It is this unique system – which allows the wings to be totally encapsulated within protective, underbelly compartments while in ground mode – that sets the Switchblade apart from all other aircraft. Actually, it sets it apart from all other flying cars as well.
The engineering team is now working on the fuselage (body), where computerized testing has been conducted to determine the best shape for rear lights and bumpers. They are also doing an evaluation of different LED lighting systems, utilizing the wind tunnel model. The unique lighting needs are being considered for the three-wheeled vehicle, which is required to meet motorcycle manufacturing regulations for road use.
“Our three-wheeled approach not only is the closest match between ground and air, but the regulations are such that it is practical to design for both flying and driving without significant compromise in either mode,” said Bousfield.
Oregon already ranks first in the nation as the leading manufacturer of kit aircraft. With the successful addition of the Switchblade, this sector of aviation, thriving in the central part of our state, could take an even bigger lead. The dream of a “flying car” has been with us for many years. If someone could make a practical one – to be used as a business tool as well as for recreation – it may well be an evolutionary step for transportation. We will be keeping an interested eye on Samson’s progress as they work towards their goal of producing the world’s first practical flying car, or should we say MMV.
Samson Motors, Inc.
4001 SW Aviation Blvd., Prineville, OR 97754
530-878-4808, www.samsonsky.com
Founder, Inventor & CEO: Sam Bousfield
No. Employees: 8
Year Established: Oregon Office 2013, CA Office 2008
Product/Service: 3 wheeled flying sports car
https://youtu.be/cMQtD3UV1ho
https://www.facebook.com/SamsonMotorworks/videos/vb.117146624974687/921627801193228/?type=2&theater
(Photos above: (Top) Ron Burch (left) & Sam Bousfield overseeing wing construction. (Inside) One variation of lighting being considered for night driving. | Photos Courtesy of Samson Motors)
