Flying cars have long been known as waves of the future.
But being behind the wheels of a vehicle that can fly is very different from staying on the ground (probably).
So Samson Sky, an Oregon-based flying vehicle manufacturer, is deploying a pilot training program for people who are trying to get a flying car but are not pilots.
Samson Sky says “increasingly many non-pilots” are subscribed to the first model, the Samson Switchblade Flying Sports Car.
“The company will use this program to help streamline the customer experience,” Samson Sky said in a media release.
CEO of Samson Sky and CEO and founder of Samson Sky standing next to Samson Sky Switchblade. (Samson Sky)
The company said it conducted “extensive” marketing surveys specifically targeting the “regional travel market,” or people traveling 250-500 miles with business, pleasure, or both.
“The findings of local travelers showed an incredible level of interest in purchasing flying cars,” says Sam Bousfield, CEO and founder of Samson Sky. “80% of people expressing interest [in purchasing a flying car] It was a non-pilot. ”
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For those who find it difficult to license a pilot, company officials say they think again.
“Some people think that getting a pilot license serves as a barrier to entry into the aviation industry, but history speaks against it,” said a media release from Samson Sky. “The number of student pilots in the US tripled over five years, reaching 320,000 by 2023.”
Samson Sky’s pilot training program is not exclusively for SwitchBlade owners. Non-customers can also use the program to acquire wings, the company says. Samson lays the foundation for his own specific training program, partnering with established flight schools.
Internal rendering of Samson Sky Switchblade. (Samson Sky) Rendering inside the Samson Sky Switch Blade. (Samson Sky)
The Switchblade is a highway-access hybrid electric vehicle that can park in a regular garage and run to the nearest airport when flight mode is enabled within 3 minutes.
After that, all you need to do is clear it for takeoff.
“We fly the registered aircraft to the airport closest to our destination, then land, return to driving mode and drive for the last few miles,” the company says. “The switchblade seats are located in a travel bag room with two people side by side, flying up to 450 miles in a premium gas tank. The estimated cruise speed in the air is 160 miles per hour.”
Maiden’s flight from Samson Sky Switchblade. (Samson Sky) Maiden’s flight of the Samson Sky Switch Blade. (Samson Sky)
The Switchblade is an experimental category aircraft, says Samson Sky.
The Federal Aviation Administration does not provide certification for aircraft in this category.
According to the Samson Sky website, the Switchblade currently available for reservations is estimated at an estimated price of $170,000.
There are also other concept models, Switchblade Special and Switchblade Limited.
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