Samson Motors Newsletter Blog

We have made great progress with the 1/4 scale radio control prototype, and hope to fly within 30 days.  Bill Bohn in Tahoe has finished the tail assembly, and is working on the wings.  The fuselage (body) should be fairly straight-forward, as it is built around the existing wood structure already assembled.

There will be a Progress Page done shortly with images, so look for that soon.  We are currently working to locate a wind tunnel large enough to accomodate the prototype so that we can do a few tests before the big day!  We have one in mind, but if you know of one 6′ wide or wider, please let us know so that we can choose the best facility for our purposes.

We have made trips to Wisconsin, Nevada, and Southern California recently to introduce the business to like-minded people.  This has led to alliances that we anticipate will make the introduction and distribution of the Switchblade, as well as our future vehicles, that much more successful.  We have also added new staff to handle our Dealership Program, which is being formed at this time.

A mold production facility has been located, and we are negotiating on several options to have molds made for the prototype(s).  We would like to have two or three prototypes made for use in demonstrating the vehicle around the world, as we have enthusiastic followers from over twenty different countries.  We have interest from the movie and television world, and this would allow us to provide a unit for their use.

We recently generated two different special editions to accomodate the extreme conditions found in both cold climates and hot, dry climates.  These are being added to the new web site, which is nearly ‘live’.  When the web site is active, please check theVehicles Section down at the bottom of the page for the specifics on those two vehicles.  We will be adding an option for a Short Take-Off and Landing wing (STOL) that will decease maximum speed, but also decrease take-off distance and landing distances.  Here is a preview of the “Aurora” (cold climate model):

People often ask us how they can help.  Simply passing along our newest YouTube video link and web address to your friends and asking them to check it out is of great assistance.  This particular video is a 5 minute long presentation of the concept and why it is important, including quotes regarding the state of personal transportation from Bill Ford, CEO of Ford Motor Company.  The link is:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwStvxO0z38&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

As always, the staff at Samson are looking forward with anticipation toward first flight, as I am sure many of you are.  This will be a big year for the Switchblade, and should bring the realization of our dream into reality.  It is your dream, too, so wish us luck!

Re: Update Page Added, Special Offer Extended, Reno Air Races

A Progress Page was posted on the website covering the 1/4 scale radio control model and the propeller design.  Go to:  http://www.samsonmotorworks.com/progress-reports

Samson Field Promoter Bill Marble of Reno, Nevada, will be hosting a Switchblade display during the Reno Air Races September 14-18th at Stead Field in his hanger on the field.  The hangar is at 5559 Alpha Avenue, and is in the pits, so a pit pass will be necessary to see the display.  The display will feature a 1/4 scale static model of the Switchblade, a video presentation,  brochures.  He will have Depositor Agreement Forms, and deposits may be made by check during the races.  Samson Spokesman Don Campbell will be available on site Saturday the 17th, and there may be other Samson staff available other days as well.  Bill’s cell phone is 775-530-0629.

Due to requests by Field Promoters, we have extended the Switchblade Deposit 5% off Special Offer until September 25th.  For those who missed the last eNewsletter which described all of the Special Offers now in effect, it is attached below with the date changed for the Deposit offer as mentioned above:

From eNewsletter of 25 August, 2011

We realized recently that we are under-utilizing a vast resource.  You!  After the last eNewsletter and the earlier progress report talking about engine testing, we received quite a few leads on new engine developments to consider as we move forward with the program.  Thank you to all who contributed!

This led to the conclusion that many of you have been following our progress, wish us success, and are willing to do something about it.  Okay, then, let’s take this a step further.  We would like to get a new ‘game’ going with the people following our progress.  We can’t pay you each a salary, but another option is to let it be known what we feel you could do that would be helpful, and reward that production with prizes as compensation.   The prizes include money, discounts, special editions of kits, custom interiors, and much more.  Here is how you can help:

Refer someone for a Switchblade Deposit and receive a sales commission as a Field Promoter.  You would work with one of our sales staff, who would be the one to service the person and make sure their purchase experience is the best we can make it.  A Field Promoter simply introduces people to the Switchblade and gets them to contact us regarding a Deposit toward future purchase. To claim your reward, you must let Samson know before your person contacts us.  Send an email to dcampbell@samsonsky.com or phone (530) 878-4808.  The reward can be taken one of two ways:

1. As the new Depositor completes the paperwork and does his Deposit, you can be rewarded with 50% of all sales commissions from that sale with no further work needed.

2. Alternatively, instead of taking a cash commission, you can be credited on yourSwitchblade kit with double the cash commission you would have received.  Thirteen deposits submitted and your credit account would exceed $60,000.

Place a Deposit in the next two weeks and receive 5% off the kit price.  This does not apply to engine or avionics, but the kit itself.  This will help boost Deposit numbers and show investors the depth of our business market. Since this has a time limit for the discount,  Field Promoters can use this to help convince Depositors that now is the time to come on board.  If you are a current Depositor, you will automatically be credited with 5% off for being an early bird.  This discount will be valid until the end of September 25, 2011.

Fully pay for your Switchblade in advance.  Depositors who pre-pay for their Switchblade kit during the next 30 days will get the price fixed at $60,000 regardless of final price (or 10% off the kit price if the final price is lower than $60,000), and you will receive a special Founder commemorative interiors package.  This collector’s item  will be designed by our staff designer, who was the chief designer for Nissan/Australia and is a highly talented individual.  All who pre-pay will be able to vote for their favorite interior design, and the winning design will be offered to all pre-paid Switchblades.  Depending on how many people participate in this, there may be a choice of two or more designs that will be offered to those who pre-pay.  This offer will be valid until the end of September 25, 2011.

Refer someone as an investor and receive a finder’s fee.  We have been busy lining up the needed funds for first flight and beyond, and are ready for the sprint to the finish line.  We are in discussion with several who would like to fund us, but waiting to see which one funds is never successful.  Through experience, we know that now is the time do DOUBLE the amount of people we talk to.  So, if any of you have friends, family, or associates who might just be interested in helping the next evolution in transportation get into production, now would be a good time to let them know about us.  Even if they have looked at it before, we have a greatly improved business plan including an impressive executive team.  To make it easy, I have attached a summary of the opportunity so you can easily pass this along to your prospects.  Samson will present a full business plan to each investor who expresses an interest.

According to Security & Exchange Commission rules, we cannot publicly announce our funding opportunity.  The same would apply to you.  No one can post it for public view on boards, broad emails to strangers, etc.  Again, please call or email in advance so we know where it came from, and can then provide the Finder’s Fee.

Our minimum investment is $30,000 USD.  The Finder’s Fee can be taken one of two ways:

1. As a thank you for referring to us someone who invests, we can give a cashFinder’s Fee of 5% of the investment received.  As an example, for an investment received of $100,000 you would be given a cash thank you of $5,000.  For an investment of $1,000,000 you would receive $50,000.

2. If you would rather take a percentage off your Switchblade kit, you can put down a deposit, and take double whatever the Finder’s fee would have been in cash, as a credit towards your Switchblade kit final price.  As an example, if you bring one person at $100,000, you would receive a $10,000 credit towards your final kit price.

This game runs until we have finished our full funding ($7M), which could be very soon.  We will, of course, keep you informed.

The bottom line is that we are ready  to fly, and we want to line up the finances so we don’t get knocked off our ‘stride’ getting the business up and running.  You can help, if you feel comfortable doing so, by introducing us to potential investors.  Even if they don’t invest, just the action of talking to many people is what it takes to successfully raise money.  Did you know that Walt Disney was told ‘no’ by 302 bankers before he was able to find funding for his first Disney theme park?  The person who invented copiers went through the same process,  with many hundreds of rejections before one said ‘yes’, and the copier then became the indispensable business tool it is today.

Let me know who you’ve got and how it is going.  The more communication the better.  We have a really big target ($7M for Switchblade full program or $1.5M for flying prototype).  We are hoping to finish this off in the next month and then we will have a firm timeline to first flight.  The Samson home team and I are glad for anything you can do to help make this happen.

Contact Info:

Sam Bousfield

(530) 878-4808

sbousfield@samsonsky.com

We realized recently that we are under-utilizing a vast resource. You! After the last eNewsletter and the earlier progress report talking about engine testing, we received quite a few leads on new engine developments to consider as we move forward with the program. Thank you to all who contributed!

This led to the conclusion that many of you have been following our progress, wish us success, and are willing to do something about it. Okay, then, let’s take this a step further. We would like to get a new ‘game’ going with the people following our progress. We can’t pay you each a salary, but another option is to let it be known what we feel you could do that would be helpful, and reward that production with prizes as compensation. The prizes include money, discounts, special editions of kits, custom interiors, and much more. Here is how you can help:

Refer someone for a Switchblade Deposit and receive a sales commission as a Field Promoter. You would work with one of our sales staff, who would be the one to service the person and make sure their purchase experience is the best we can make it. A Field Promoter simply introduces people to the Switchblade and gets them to contact us regarding a Deposit toward future purchase. To claim your reward, you must let Samson know before your person contacts us. Send an email todcampbell@samsonsky.com or phone (530) 878-4808. The reward can be taken one of two ways:

1. As the new Depositor completes the paperwork and does his Deposit, you can be rewarded with 50% of all sales commissions from that sale with no further work needed.

2. Alternatively, instead of taking a cash commission, you can be credited on your Switchblade kit with double the cash commission you would have received. Thirteen deposits submitted and your credit account would exceed $60,000.

Place a Deposit in the next two weeksand receive 5% off the kit price. This does not apply to engine or avionics, but the kit itself. This will help boost Deposit numbers and show investors the depth of our business market. Since this has a time limit for the discount, Field Promoters can use this to help convince Depositors that now is the time to come on board. If you are a current Depositor, you will automatically be credited with 5% off for being an early bird. This discount will be valid until the end of September 9, 2011.

Fully pay for your Switchblade in advance. Depositors who pre-pay for their Switchblade kit during the next 30 days will get the price fixed at $60,000 regardless of final price (or 10% off the kit price if the final price is lower than $60,000), and you will receive a special Founder commemorative interiors package. This collector’s item will be designed by our staff designer, who was the chief designer for Nissan/Australia and is a highly talented individual. All who pre-pay will be able to vote for their favorite interior design, and the winning design will be offered to all pre-paid Switchblades. Depending on how many people participate in this, there may be a choice of two or more designs that will be offered to those who pre-pay. This offer will be valid until the end of September 25, 2011.

Refer someone as an investor and receive a finder’s fee. We have been busy lining up the needed funds for first flight and beyond, and are ready for the sprint to the finish line. We are in discussion with several who would like to fund us, but waiting to see which one funds is never successful. Through experience, we know that now is the time do DOUBLE the amount of people we talk to. So, if any of you have friends, family, or associates who might just be interested in helping the next evolution in transportation get into production, now would be a good time to let them know about us. Even if they have looked at it before, we have a greatly improved business plan including an impressive executive team. To make it easy, I have attached a summary of the opportunity so you can easily pass this along to your prospects. Samson will present a full business plan to each investor who expresses an interest.
According to Security & Exchange Commission rules, we cannot publicly announce our funding opportunity. The same would apply to you. No one can post it for public view on boards, broad emails to strangers, etc. Again, please call or email in advance so we know where it came from, and can then provide the Finder’s Fee.

Our minimum investment is $30,000 USD. The Finder’s Fee can be taken one of two ways:

1. As a thank you for referring to us someone who invests, we can give a cash Finder’s Fee of 5% of the investment received. As an example, for an investment received of $100,000 you would be given a cash thank you of $5,000. For an investment of $1,000,000 you would receive $50,000.

2. If you would rather take a percentage off your Switchblade kit, you can put down a deposit, and take double whatever the Finder’s fee would have been in cash, as a credit towards your Switchblade kit final price. As an example, if you bring one person at $100,000, you would receive a $10,000 credit towards your final kit price.

This game runs until we have finished our full funding ($7M), which could be very soon. We will, of course, keep you informed.

The bottom line is that we are ready to fly, and we want to line up the finances so we don’t get knocked off our ‘stride’ getting the business up and running. You can help, if you feel comfortable doing so, by introducing us to potential investors. Even if they don’t invest, just the action of talking to many people is what it takes to successfully raise money. Did you know that Walt Disney was told ‘no’ by 302 bankers before he was able to find funding for his first Disney theme park? The person who invented copiers went through the same process, with many hundreds of rejections before one said ‘yes’, and the copier then became the indispensable business tool it is today.

Let me know who you’ve got and how it is going. The more communication the better. We have a really big target ($7M for Switchblade full program or $1.5M for flying prototype). We are hoping to finish this off in the next month and then we will have a firm timeline to first flight. The Samson home team and I are glad for anything you can do to help make this happen.

Contact Info:

Sam Bousfield

(530) 878-4808

sbousfield@samsonsky.com

We have located a potential for the constant speed 7-blade hub, which is a unit that was designed by Aero Composites Inc. for the Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) ducted fan aircraft that NASA and DARPA teamed up to fund and assist in development.  The hub was ground tested with a 300 hp loading, so we can safely assume that our 200 hp will be adequately contained.  Talks have begun with Aero to incorporate the hub into the Switchblade design.  Having a seven blade hub is seen as important for acoustic reasons as well as to handle the prop loading.

With an odd number of blades rotating past the vertical closure of the body within the duct, there will be less peak noise generated (one blade at a time passing by the disturbance created by the vertical body feature).  This has been validated in more than one American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) paper over the years.  The PAV testing also confirmed a low acoustic signature with this arrangement.

Having this hub has the potential to reduce the time it would have taken to develop our own prop hub. We had previously decided to use a fixed pitch hub to do the prototype and initial kits with, then add in an upgrade to a constant speed prop as we could afford to develop it.  The constant speed prop should enable us to gain approximately 14 kts in top speed, and possibly more as we approach 200 mph.   No guarantees yet on that, but we have set our sights on flying faster than 160 mph.

Best,  Sam Bousfield
CEO Samson Aircraft, Inc.

We were invited to South Africa to meet investors there, and found not only a larger market than anticipated, but interest from government agencies and large business people there to set up a second manufacturing facility to support that area of the globe.  You may not be aware, but there is quite a large traffic problem between the major cities surrounding Johannesburg, which plagues business leaders, in addition to the average person.  This affects over 10 million people of the region.

Farmers in South Africa often have more than one holding, and these are quite large.  To be able to fly from one to the other, and view the scene from the air is quite a problem solver as well.

While not a technical advancement, this was welcome improvement in our business plan.  Additionally, there is no 51% rule in South Africa (technically there can be completed Experimental aircraft for sale there, and possibly exported from there in some cases).  We are still doing due diligence and marketing work to determine the scope of things, but it looks good so far!

We also found new materials in use in the SA mining industry, which is a technical leader in the global mining community.  Plastics have been used to replace steel (even stainless) with greater strength and longevity in rigorous conditions and use.  These materials from the chemical giant Sasol in South Africa are being reviewed for possible inclusion in the Switchblade.  We are prototyping with aluminum for the swing-wing hinge assembly, and would use that unless we tested with other materials and found that longevity and strength could be improved.  I can hear the engineers shivering in their boots, but if it is stronger, lighter, and less expensive, we should take a look.  Remember that old saying, “the future is plastics”?

We wore our Samson shirts wherever we went, and that included being kissed by an elephant during an off-day (national elections close down many businesses and government offices for nearly a week).  We were featured in a 6 minute interview on RSG radio, and found that our Facebook hits increased 300%, and our website spiked.  Lots of interest generated by such a small exposure in SA.  What will happen when we fly and are all over the news?

Another highlight was speaking to an auditorium of 250 school children about our project.  Not only were they enthusiastic (looks well for the future of flying cars), but many had been sketching on their own.  I was introduced to one who was especially proud of his drawings, and I encouraged him to follow his dreams.  “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists”, L. Ron Hubbard.
Best,  Sam Bousfield

CEO Samson Aircraft, Inc.

We are burning the midnight oil here, getting the needed funding in place to launch on construction of our flying prototype.  I am working intensively on some exciting collaborative efforts for Switchblade engines and alternate fuel technology.  At this stage this is all proprietary, but suffice it to say that these technologies will make our vehicles even more efficient and cost effective and will have applications far beyond that.

Unfortunately, with our team tied up with these critical projects, we cannot spare the personnel to attend Sun ‘N Fun in Lakeland, Florida, as we had planned.  This is a great event and we are disappointed to miss it.  We will just have to make up for it next year.  If you are at Sun ‘N Fun and anyone asks where the heck we are, please tell them briefly what we are doing and refer them to our new YouTube movies and website for an update on the Switchblade.

I hope you enjoyed our recent 60 second mini-movies, “Fast Lane” and “Mission Possible”.  Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LegQTpXtk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IASW8zMIxw&feature=related

Would you please share these with your friends, family and associates?  They can see the other YouTube videos we’ve done which are listed to the right of the screen.  If you want to show someone the January Popular Mechanics article where the Switchblade is featured in the cover story, just send them to our website www.samsonsky.com Our earlier website address will still get you there as well www.samsonmotorworks.com
Thanks for your continued interest and support!
Best,
Sam Bousfield

*|FACEBOOK:LIKE:URL|*

Samson Motors eNewsletter 3-7-2011
Sam was recently honored to be one of only six “National Design Leaders” chosen to speak at the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Minnesota’s Annual Lake Superior Design Retreat. This event took place on February 25th through the 26th and was attended by more than 120 architects and non-architects.

As many of you may not know, Sam earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 1979. Post-graduate studies included marketing and business management. Due to an interest in aviation, Sam became involved with a core group of Boeing engineers who utilized Sam’s conceptual ideas to advance aeronautical research. This relationship developed into several international scientific papers presented to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and with the Swedish government utilizing one of Sam’s designs to re-calibrate their wind tunnel through Mach 1.

We are happy to share with you our two new YouTube videos that were a real hit at the event!

Take a look and share them with your friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IASW8zMIxw (mission possible)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6LegQTpXtk (fast lane )

We have been getting a lot of international attention lately including being featured as a cover story in the January issue of Popular Mechanics. As we count-down to our first flight this year, we are presenting the Switchblade in Seattle, WA this weekend as our first stop in a nation-wide tour.

Sam Bousfield, inventor of the Switchblade flying car, will be holding an Open House and presentation of the vehicle. A scale model, along with audio visual presentations of the project, will be available for viewing.

WHEN:

• Saturday, February 19th from 1-8pm (Open House venue) or
• Sunday, February 20th from 3-5pm (Reception – RSVP needed)
  

WHERE:

• “The Landing” at 5001 25th Ave NE, #200 in Seattle, WA

We request an RSVP as space is limited and it is an invitation-only event. Please call (206) 518-2205 or 530-320-9088 to reserve your seat.

The New Year is upon us, and it will be a good one for Samson.  We have first flight to look forward to, an exclusive deal with American Express for deluxe versions of the Switchblade, several large bulk purchases from Asia, and increasing support and purchases from the US.

Being on the front cover of Popular Mechanics was a nice way to start the year, even though there were some incorrect statements made.  Magazines and newspapers seem to thrive on controversy, and when the author of X-plane was approached, he handed out pronouncements regarding our flight capabilities without actually flying our X-plane model painstakingly built for us by Shade Tree, a reputable X-plane modeling company.  Those who have flown our model (still free to download from our website – Store Page), report much the same as we found, that the Switchblade flies very well once you get over the urge to rotate on take-off.  The plane takes off without rotating, like a B-52, which Austin Meyers didn’t understand until I went over it with him after seeing his comments in the article.

We are flying even more adventurous routes on X-plane, and have our third movie posted on Youtube.  This one takes off from Maui, does a landing and take-off from an aircraft carrier, an aileron roll less than 30’ off the water, and then continues to land at Hawaii.  This is island hopping at its best.  See the movie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC43mF3d4e0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL.  This marks the third installment of 101 Things To Do With A Switchblade, and we are preparing a contest for others to enter and have their work published (as well as earn prizes).  Download your version of our updated Switchblade and start looking for your claim to fame!  In the X-plane Universe, the FAA doesn’t ground you for flying through the Golden Gate Bridge above traffic (we’ve done it).  It is a great way to have fun, and the program only costs $29 but needs a newer computer with advanced graphics board to handle the images.

The ground test vehicle is being repainted awaiting the new engine installation.  We are going to test an engine with the cvt (continuously variable transmission) drive to the wheels including reverse gear.  New aluminum skins and a lexan windshield now grace the front of the vehicle to allow winter testing, including snow handling.  We are testing a rotary engine with a hydrogen boost system, and are looking forward to finalizing the funding for both engine and vehicle programs in the coming weeks.  It became a bigger issue to handle funding both the vehicle and the engine, but in the end it will be worthwhile as we can direct the engine program to include a certified version in later years for our future certified vehicles.  I believe you will enjoy the long-lasting, low-cost single lever control rotary engine, and it promises to be a light-weight powerplant for many aircraft.

Have a Happy New Year!

Okay, we are sorry for the delay in getting a newsletter out.  We have been concentrating on finance issues, and the potentials kept getting bigger and more involved.  We are working on three finance packages that will enable us to finish development of the Switchblade as well as the rotary engine program.  There is also interest in our ground program, which offers a sports car-like vehicle getting Prius mileage.

So what can we say?  Well, if you want a Switchblade any time soon, now would be a good time to put down a deposit and secure your place in line.  We have some large International deposits en-route which will consume the entire first year’s production of the Switchblade.  Not a bad problem for a business to have.

Our flying has continued on X-plane, and we have another movie posted on YouTube.  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN4swAWvdRc.  This marks the second installment of 101 Things To Do With A Switchblade, and we are preparing a third.  If you have a correct trim setting, flying the Switchblade is a piece of cake.  CFI (certified flight instructor) and Samson Spokesman,Don Campbell, has been working crosswind landings and take-offs.  These were the potential problem areas we thought we would need to address due to the low wing.  So far, take-offs and landings have been done with a 20 kt side component without trouble.  One ‘bonus’ we found comes from our wheel location.  As long as you are flying less than 90 mph, when the rear wheels touch down, you are landed and driving.  This means you can come in hot, touch down cleanly without having to be at or near stall, and be down.  This helps with crosswinds, as forward speed reduces the effects of side wind components.  We are sure we will hit a limit, and though X-plane is an engineering based flight simulator that does seem to fly like the real thing, these are only simulations.  At best, it may prepare us for first flight and following test flights.

We are also on the front cover of Popular Mechanics for January’s edition, due out in a couple of weeks.  It is a feature story, and we are hoping you like it. The images are a bit dated, as we have changed the front suspension of the vehicle.  We didn’t have the new model to photograph, and of course we have many more deposits since the story was written, but the story should be a good one.  The photographer is exceptionally talented, so we can’t wait to see the issue.

After breaking 100 mph on the ground, we turned to our less-than exciting slalom results and found our testing was not standard.  For our test, we set up cones 45 feet apart. Later, we found that Road and Track set their cones at 100 feet.  No wonder our results compared so poorly!  So now we will be going out to the Sacramento Raceway and performing another timed ¼ mile and a slalom test using the more standard cone configuration that will allow us to compare our results to other vehicles.  After beating the Jaguar V8, we would like to know how the Switchblade will fare with other exotics.

On another engineering note, the new front end is performing extraordinarily well.  We are seeing much better control authority and rigidity.  It is a bit heavier than we wanted, though we are using standard square tubing for prototype use.  When we get things dialed in the way we want, we will turn the engineers loose on the setup to take the weight out.

With as much interest as we are seeing in the Switchblade, we expect to be able to provide our own castings for many components, like a regular production vehicle.  I know we have been taking longer than expected to develop the vehicle, and finance had a lot to do with this, but the upside is it has given us the time to ramp up our sales ahead of production. We are using that time to push development further than if we were stepping out into uncharted territory.  We know we have the sales volume to warrant the development that will make this a truly captivating vehicle.  If you like what you see and hear, please pass it along.  I think your friends will be amazed.

Thanks!

The Samson Team