Samson Motorworks Proposes Switchblade Flying Motorbike

Samson Motorworks presented a flying motorcycle proposal at Airventure 2008, generating a degree of interest and feedback that has resulted in a newer, lighter, modified design: the Samson Switchblade. While Samson refers to its design as a motorbike, the vehicles are enclosed-cabin three-wheelers, and the 15’6” long Switchblade features a scissor-folding main wing that hinges near the rear wheels and slots under the body of the vehicle for road use.

The folding wing contrasts with the earlier “SkyBike” design’s telescoping wing, and company President Sam Bousfield says that the folding design gives greater range and simpler incorporation of flaps, traditional ailerons and typical lightweight construction techniques.

Partnering with Samson in the project is Swift Engineering of San Clemente, California. Swift is experienced in both race-car and aircraft design, and was involved in taking the Eclipse 400 jet from initial design to flying prototype in only eight months.

The Switchblade uses a three wing-surface design that incorporates a fore-canard and rear aerofoil in addition to the main folding wing. Bousfield said in a recent Samson press-release that this layout was chosen as it enables smaller wings and lower drag figures, although the vehicles still boasts a 23’ wingspan. The tail telescopes backwards for flight, and remains tucked in tight to the body during ground use. Samson gives preliminary specifications for the Switchblade that include maximum speeds of 95 mph (ground) and 140 mph (air), a range of 500 miles (ground) and 220 miles (air), a 10.1 US-gallon fuel capacity including reserve and a 55 mph stall speed.

The proposed engine is a 120 hp Freedom-motor twin-rotor unit. Samson’s website lists standard features of the Switchblade as: driver’s adjustable seat; continuously variable transmission (CVT) with forward, neutral, reverse and flight mode; leather interior; Lexan front windshield and side windows; heating & air conditioning; stereo CD; seat belt/safety harness; front and rear disc brakes; video rear-view monitor; glass cockpit; automatic vehicle leaning in turns; extendable wings; dual ground/air lighting system; lightning protection; redundant ignition system; redundant battery system; navigation radio; ELT; ballistic parachute recovery system; and back-up air speed, altimeter and attitude indicators.

“Now that Terrafugia has flown, it is no longer a question of ‘can it be done’, it is ‘how good can it be done?’ and that is the challenge for the Switchblade,” said Bousfield.  He added that the company is still looking forward to kit delivery in 2010 and advised that Samson would unveil a scale proof-of-concept model of the “Switchblade” at Sun-n-Fun 2009.