FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

OWNERSHIP

• How soon will they be available?
• How much do they cost?
• How do I purchase one?
• If I am not a pilot, can I still buy a Switchblade?
• What license(s) will be required?
• What about insurance?

GENERAL USE

• Where can I take off and land?
• Can I take off from a neighborhood street, freeway or parking lot?
• Can I take off from my own land?
• How high can I fly?
• Can the Switchblade be operated out of a controlled airport?
• Can I drive the Switchblade in a carpool lane?
• How about toll roads?
• Can I drive this on a freeway?
• Are the controls different for flying vs. driving?
• How is braking accomplished?
• Does this have a transmission?
• What engines are available?
• Why not use an aviation engine?

FEATURES

• What happens if there is an in-flight emergency?
• Can the wings retract while in flight?
• Is it possible to forget one aspect of changing from motorcycle to aircraft and so take off unprepared for flight?
• Would a minor collision on the ground render the vehicle non-airworthy
• How safe is the vehicle in a major accident?
• Is a parachute landing survivable?
• Aren’t motorcycles more dangerous to drive on the roads than cars?
• Won’t this flip over in a hard turn?
• How do you see behind you?
• How do you handle the change of lighting required? (navigation lights vs. motorcycle)
• No windshield wiper?
• What keeps the wings retracted in hard cornering?
• How do I learn to fly the Switchblade?

OPERATION

• How do you extend the wings?
• How do you retract the wings?
• What instrumentation will be provided?
• What performance can be expected of the vehicle?
• What will take off be like?
• What fuel is used?

OWNERSHIP

How soon will they be available?
On our current schedule, kit deliveries should begin first quarter 2013.

How much do they cost?
Target price of the kit is $60k without engine or avionics, resulting in an overall targeted price of approximately $85k. Much of this will be determined by the actual price of the kit, and the engine choice that the builders make.

How do I purchase one?
At this time, we are taking refundable deposits of $2,000 US for early kit delivery slots. Deposits will be accepted via mail, phone and Internet CLICK HERE to review and download the deposit agreement form. When you are 90 days from delivery, we will ask that the deposit convert to a non-refundable deposit to maintain your delivery slot, and there may be an additional deposit due at that time.

If I am not a pilot, can I still buy a Switchblade?
Yes, you may purchase a Switchblade, but you must have a Private Pilot Certificate to fly it.

What license(s) will be required?
Driving on the ground will require a motorcycle driver’s license, a driver’s license, or a driver’s license with a motorcycle addition depending on what state and country you live in. CLICK HERE for access to USA state-by-state regulations. To fly the Switchblade, you would need a Private Pilot Certificate. Samson will offer flight training packages along with the Switchblade, and if you build the Switchblade and use it for your training vehicle, the cost for flight training is nearly cut in half. If done at your local flight school with their aircraft, the total cost will depend on how fast you learn. Most people can finish for a total cost of between $7,000 and $8,500.

Eligibility
You can become a private pilot for airplanes if you’re 17 and know English. In addition, for airplane single engine you have to:

Have at least 40 hours of total flight time
Receive and log the required ground and flight training including:

1. Minimum 20 hours of flight instruction (DUAL: meaning with an instructor)
2. 3 hours of DUAL in the last 60 days on exam maneuvers
3. 3 hours of DUAL instrument training
4. 3 hours of DUAL at night with 10 takeoffs and landings
5. Over 100NM NIGHT DUAL CROSS-COUNTRY

Have 10 hours of SOLO experience including:

1. 3 takeoffs and full-stop landings at a towered airport
2. 5 hours of SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY
3. Over 150NM cross-country with a leg over 50NM

Hold at least a 3rd Class Medical Certificate

Pass the FAA knowledge test with a minimum score of 70

Receive endorsements from a CFI for both the knowledge and practical tests

For a list of Flight schools for your State, CLICK HERE

What about insurance
Negotiations are currently underway with insurers who can provide both ground and air insurance. While there is currently no flying car insurance program, initially Switchblade drivers will need two policies: one for the air and a separate one for the ground.
Due to the training included with our vehicles, and the safety features we are providing, we believe we will be able to provide multiple insurance options. We will have an insurance representative at Samson who will assist purchasers with insurance matters.

Due to the training included with our vehicles, and the safety features we are providing, we believe we will be able to provide multiple insurance options. We will have an insurance representative at Samson who will assist purchasers with insurance matters.

For ground versions, we anticipate setting up dealerships with existing motorcycle and motor sport dealers in many cities and countries. Check with your local dealer to see if they are planning on signing up with us.

GENERAL USE

Where can I take off and land?
You can drive the Switchblade to any public airport to take off, and may land at the same, or any other, public airport. You can also take off and land from any private airport where you have privileges

Can I take off from a neighborhood street, freeway or parking lot?
FAA rules prohibit any vehicle from taking off from private or public streets.

Can I take off from my own land?
If you own sufficient land to construct a private runway, theoretically you could! You would need to adhere to several regulations, including the ability to gain elevation before crossing over neighboring land.

How high can I fly?
The vehicle’s current operation ceiling is 10,000′ above Mean Sea Level.

Can the Switchblade be operated out of a controlled airport?
Optional equipment will allow flight to and from controlled airports.

Can I drive the Switchblade in a carpool lane?
Most state regulations allow motorcycles such as the Switchblade to travel in the carpool lane without stickers. Check your local regulations, but it should be okay.

How about toll roads?
Most toll roads collect toll from all vehicles. With the Switchblade, you could fly past them in many cases.

Can I drive this on the freeway?
Yes you can. Our current ground test vehicle recently exceeded 100 mph in testing, which should be ample speed for even the Autobahn.

Are the controls different for flying vs. driving?
We plan to provide both ‘pilot’ and ‘driver’ with comfortable and familiar controls. A control wheel is provided that functions like an aircraft ‘yoke’ in the air and operates like a steering wheel on the ground.

How is braking accomplished?
The front wheel is steered at all times, so the differential braking common in most light aircraft is not utilized. Powerful disc brakes at all wheels provide sure stops, operated by a traditional automotive-style brake pedal.

Does this have a transmission?
Yes, a continuously variable transmission with reverse is planned, providing exceptional power control.

What engines are available?
There are multiple engine choices available. The Motus motorcycle engine will be supported, as will the Suzuki Hayabusa engine. All engines will be modified to meet aircraft requirements, including dual alternators, dual computerized ignition and injection, and dual fuel pumps. The engines will operate with the simplicity of automobile engines, not requiring leaning or other manual engine control. Use of the Vertical Power electronic circuit controller allows different settings for different phases of flight automatically.

Why not use an aviation engine?
As a dual-purpose vehicle, the engine will be required to have emission controls that aircraft engines do not provide.

FEATURES

What happens if there is an in-flight emergency?
The glide ratio of 8:1 allows an element of control for emergency landings, while, as standard equipment, a ballistic chute recovery system provides an escape route found only on a few aircraft.

Can the wings retract while in flight?
Two features act independently to prevent a wing retract while flying. The first is that the air pressure pushes back on the wings, forcing the wings to remain extended. Secondly, a manually implemented locking mechanism keeps the wing-swing positively locked in the open position when in flight.

Is it possible to forget one aspect of changing from motorcycle to aircraft and so take off unprepared for flight?
We are designing the system so that it will be impossible to engage the ducted fan unless the vehicle is in flight mode, (wings and vertical stabilizers deployed, wheel location adjusted for takeoff) as well as the electrical/electronic aspects of the change (instruments, engine computer). Of course, there remains the visual inspection of readiness, as would always be done as part of a pre-flight.

Would a minor collision on the ground render the vehicle non-airworthy?
The main wings are contained within the belly of the vehicle t to keep them out of harm’s way while on the ground. A steel keel protects the wings from damage if the vehicle high-centers or strikes bottom in some manner. Similarly, the tail is retracted in ground mode, keeping it from harm in low-impact bumps. High-speed impact can render any vehicle non-useable. If in doubt, consult an aircraft mechanic or a Samson dealer.

How safe is the vehicle in a major accident?
Formula 1 racing cars are designed to take impacts that would normally kill an occupant by creating an inner safety cell surrounded by an expendable outer structure. That same technology is being used by Samson Motors and DAR Corporation to create a safety shell around the occupants to protect them from front and rear collisions. Side collision protection is enhanced by protection bars to produce perhaps one of the safest three-wheeled vehicles ever manufactured. Optional seat belt airbags add another layer of safety, as do three-point safety harnesses.

Is a parachute landing survivable?
Statistics show overwhelming evidence of survivability for those who deploy their BRS at a suitable altitude. Additionally, our design includes a nose-first landing attitude with rotation, so that much of the impact energy can be absorbed from the rotation. Having suspension may also provide further cushioning to many landing scenarios.

Aren’t motorcycles more dangerous to drive on the roads than cars?
Motorcycles give more freedom of control, are faster to react, and bring the outside world closer to you as you drive past. For many, their exhilaration provided by the mode of transportation, with the nimble handling and the ability to lean through turns, outweighs the fact that there is less (or nothing) to protect you in an accident. In a typical motorcycle, your protection is what you wear, (leather, helmet) and your ability to react much faster than other vehicles can. The main problem is the apparent invisibility of a motorcycle to surrounding drivers. In the Switchblade, nimble handling common to motorcycles significantly remains. The visibility of the Switchblade to other drivers is significantly increased over that of a motorcycle.

Won’t this flip over in a hard turn?
The proper design of a three-wheeled vehicle includes a workout for overturning. Simply put, if you have significant weight high off the ground, in a vehicle with closely spaced wheels, overturning is almost assured. The Switchblade is designed with wide wheel placement and a low center of gravity, so that the wheels will lose traction in most circumstances, producing a spin or ‘drift’, before the vehicle would overturn. Cornering has been tested to be similar to a sports car, with excellent braking to assist in overall control.

How do you see behind you?
Motorcycle laws require rear view mirrors. We are working with the D.O.T. to be able to substitute a rear view camera/dash monitor that would serve the same function with less drag. Final versions may have aerodynamic mirrors, similar to automobiles.

How do you handle the change of lighting required? (navigation lights vs. motorcycle)
Front and rear motorcycle turn signals will have an added bulb for navigation lighting at each side of the vehicle as far apart as feasible, per the FAA regs.

Windshield wiper?
Our Samson Motors Switchblade MMV will have a safety glass windshield and windshield wiper with spray windshield cleaner like an automobile.

What keeps the wings retracted in hard cornering?
A mechanical latch will keep the wings retracted at all times when in driving mode.

How do I learn to fly a Switchblade?
Regional training will be available via existing flying clubs and training centers that may also provide sales, and a minimum amount of cross-over Flight training and checkout may be required for insurance purposes. The cost of this cross-over training is free from Samson if done at our approved training centers.

OPERATION

How do you extend the wings?
The wings will be unlatched and manually pulled out in preparation for flight mode. Additionally, an optional electromechanical wing swing motor system is being developed and will be offered as an optional feature.

How do you retract the wings?
Wings will be unlatched from flight mode and retracted manually and locked into place for ground operation. As above, an electromechanical motor system is being developed as an option for the Samson Motors Switchblade.

What instrumentation will be provided?
While subject to revision, we are planning a pair of Multi-Function Displays (MFD’s) that shifts from ground instrument display, plus rear view monitor, to the flight instrument and moving map/GPS. A Nav/Com radio, transponder, and an audio panel round out the aviation instruments. A portable GPS, the Garmin Aera 560, would add a third back-up in flight instruments as well as provide ground GPS and a digital sound system for entertainment.

What performance can be expected of the vehicle?
See Vehicle Preliminary Specifications under the Vehicles pull-down tab for updated vehicle specifications. The Switchblade has the power-to-weight ratio of a Ferrari, so ground performance should be excellent. Air speeds up to 200 mph are anticipated, and will be verified by actual flight of our prototype soon.

What will takeoff be like?
Takeoff roll should be fairly short, with brisk acceleration on the ground. Once ground speed exceeds 80 mph, the vehicle should begin to lift off by itself due to the wings being set at an angle of attack for take-off. This is similar to a B-52 bomber, which does not rotate on take-off. A slight pull-back on the wheel brings the vehicle upwards, followed by a climb of ~ 1,800 fpm.

What fuel is used?
Unleaded or premium automotive gasoline for our first models. We have already finished layouts for both hybrid, and electric drive systems pending on an appropriate battery solution.