The third round of radiator testing was short and successful, using the flight test prototype that flew in November 2023 (see video below). And, in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, we made this special image. Happy 4th of July from the makers of the “Freedom Machine”!
“Come celebrate with us as America turns 250! It is appropriate that one of the most popular names given to the Switchblade is The Freedom Machine.”
CEO & Founder
Next Round of Radiator Testing – DONE!
We cleared the third radiator test recently and are making good progress to get the fourth test done soon. The third test was to confirm that the engine would generate enough heat to bring the coolant temperature high enough to simulate a full-power takeoff. This should be the worst-case condition for the radiator.
The test was short and successful, but a lot was riding on that success! You could feel the intensity in the test team, as they fired up the flight test prototype that flew November of 2023 and raised the engine speed in stages to check the temperature gain. New Samson staff member Tony Nissen is in the cockpit watching the instruments and readouts, Lead Engineer David Nobles running the test just outside the cockpit, and Samson engineer Pardhu Vedravu recording observations. We created this video below for you and even added music. I hope you enjoy it!
Because it is a YouTube Short, it has to be shared as a link which will open in a new tab, so when the video finishes playing just close out the new tab to come back to the newsletter, or just click on the email tab again. Shorts are sort of annoying as they want you to continue to scroll down through unrelated videos to watch more:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/smK9KAnRjJg
Tail Boom Exploded View
The image below is an exploded view of the tail boom and propeller support structure that is part of that. These are the kinds of details the engineering team has been working through to hand off the making of tail assembly production molds, tooling, parts making and fabrication to a trusted partner to handle the complete tail assembly. The partner’s work will be going on at the same time we will be working on the wings and body (fuselage) at Samson. This is to take the time out of assembling these first three vehicles.
The tail boom and parts shown below are made from carbon fiber and at first we will be bonding (glueing) these together. Once we begin implementing the thermoplastic carbon fiber (heat and pressure type) we will be welding this structure together with ultrasonic waves. When done, the welded parts are considered one piece rather than bonded parts. The thermoplastic carbon fiber is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and fully recyclable. It helps us achieve near zero waste manufacturing, as all little extra bits that are trimmed off can be re-used in non-structural parts like the dashboard.
Designers for Limited and Special Editions
The initial Switchblades being built are for the Pre-flight Owners, and they are Founder Edition (Special Edition) vehicles that have the Limited Edition dash. We worked out the Base Model dash design earlier, and have that as a starting point. After those initial designs were done, our vehicle cabin was widened even more during the last two years of production engineering.
Just to give you an idea of feedback we’ve had, people who have had the opportunity to sit in our first prototype (that flew in late 2023) were impressed with the shoulder room in the cockpit and found the Switchblade more roomy than many small aircraft they have flown or been in, and fairly similar to a sports car.
We are now adding to the design team in order to provide a faster route to finishing the interiors for the Limited Edition and Founder Edition. To achieve that, we have talked with several automotive designers with aerospace experience, and are almost ready to pull the trigger on getting that work done. This is part design and part supply chain, as the interiors have elements like HVAC outlets, door latches and levers, and other pieces that can be borrowed from existing automobiles for less money than making a small run of parts for a flying car.
For those things which are unique to the Switchblade, we will be doing the extra work to make those one-off pieces as inexpensively as we can, but still have good quality. For some things we will count on the automotive designers to know where they can get what, so we use what is available as much as we can.
In the past, I have been that designer. I am now passing that torch to those with advanced skills and knowledge so we get the very best product we can. Yes, I don’t have as much time as I used to for more highly detailed design work! I am a busy boy! It will be fun to deal with our design team as they start to perfect what we call the Brand DNA. What makes a Ferrari a Ferrari. Or a Switchblade a Switchblade.
This design team will also help with the slight modifications possible on the exterior, to differentiate the Limited Edition vehicles from all others. This is the model that starts at $770,000 and is a one-of-a-kind creation for each client.
250th Anniversary of the United States of America
Samson Sky is a global company, and we count the whole world as our home. We are proud of our American heritage, however, and we will be celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary this 4th of July along with the rest of the U.S. I hope you can celebrate along with us.
We created this special image below in honor of this country and to celebrate the achievements that have been made throughout the last 250 years.
We have been given many great nicknames over the years, including the Flying Ferrari. One of the most popular names that we have been given is “The Freedom Machine”.
Ready For a Switchblade?
I know I am. This is one of those moments where you are faced with the future and that future beckons. You can ignore it, hide from it, or confront it. I bet you can imagine which one is the winning approach. I don’t recommend the ostrich approach, and what happened the last time you saw something but pretended it wasn’t there? Right! Not a good outcome.
We see a future worth living in, and that future has flying cars in it. You don’t have to own one, but just think what it would give you. Freedom of travel on your own schedule and terms. A way to save tremendous time during regional travel of 200-500 miles or more. The feeling of competence that good pilot training provides. A way to expand your business without being away from home so much. And it is fun to drive. Try 0-60 in 5 seconds and see what that feels like.
When you make a $500 non-refundable Deposit, you are given a fixed Delivery Position for your Switchblade. The other option is to simply Reserve and get your name on the Switchblade Reservation List with no money down.
Deposit or Reserve
https://www.samsonsky.com/how-to-reserve/
Yours,
Sam Bousfield
Captain, Switchblade Team
Recent Media
Switchblade news worth celebrating. In case you missed it:
Supercar Blondie
Samson Sky Switchblade is a flying car that’s faster than most supercars
SUPERCAR BLONDIE – Top Tier Global Creator – Samson Sky
General Aviation News
Another patent for the Switchblade flying car
General Aviation News – Samson Sky
Yahoo Finance
Samson Sky CEO Receives Global Innovator Award at Congressional Ceremony on Capitol Hill
