Mark Safreed –

Corporate Executive, Student Pilot, Fan of Innovation 

While there are other Roadable Aircraft out there, Samson’s concept checked all the boxes: performance in both modes, affordable, stylish, innovative, and most importantly it’s paradigm-shifting technology.

I am a fan of the cutting edge. The incorporation of truly innovative technology into the average person’s life.  I never wanted a boat, I wanted a submarine.  A condo in the city?  How about a Treehouse on a mountainside.  Take a cruise ship to Jamaica? Fun, but how about dirigible vacation over the Serengeti!   

And I always wanted to be a pilot. I have been dreaming of a ‘Flying Car’ since I was a boy.  I can vividly remember my doodling’s when I was 10 of my “Flying Boat Car” made from a plastic flat bottom boat hull with retractable wings and all.  My father, who flew during WWII, was an aircraft mechanic. We lived next to Miami International Airport and were always around aircraft.  My high school offered Aviation Science as an elective and the course prepared us to take the written test. I went on to flight school and took a couple flight lessons. But as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t see how I could afford it.  It just wasn’t practical…yet.   

So I went about my life but was always on the lookout for ‘The Next Big Thing’.  Over the years I found a few that fit the bill.  One was Samson Sky in 2011.  While there are other Roadable Aircraft out there, Samson’s concept checked all the boxes: performance in both modes, affordable, stylish, innovative, and most importantly it’s paradigm-shifting technology. The solution that moves private aircraft from a hobby to a viable point to point travel solution for the ‘average’ person.  Owning an airplane was finally practical!  I followed their progress.  The design improvements. The diligence spent on the details. I met Sam and Martha Bousfield and realized the commitment and genius behind the concept.  By September, 2015 I was convinced and bought in.  

Given the Switchblade’s current progress, I started flight school last year with my Switchblade build team: my son-in-law and son. (That’s us in the photo!) Even my skeptical stepbrother, who was a commercial pilot and kit aircraft builder, has recently joined our build team and is excited about passing his medical again and getting back in the air. Who knows, maybe he will buy in also! I look forward to using my Switchblade as a practical mode of transportation for family visits and leisure travel. Turning 4-hour drives into a little more than an hour scenic journey from point-to-point.  As far as ‘The Next Big Thing’?  Well, brush up on your aerodynamics and quantum theory and stay tuned! 

Mark Safreed – Florida, USA