Flying car project taking flight
Meadow Vista resident plans to have flying prototype by the end of 2010
For some of us the holidays mean being stuck in traffic for hours on the way to relatives, or waiting for someone to pick us up at the airport. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could bypass all that hassle, with say, a flying car? Sam Bousfield hears you, and he’s working on it. The Meadow Vista architect, inventor and CEO of Samson Motors Inc. is developing a three-wheel flying car, which aviation enthusiasts will be able to buy and build themselves by late 2011. Part Ferrari, part motorcycle, and of course, part plane, Samson Motors Inc.’s Switchblade will allow you to fly out from a local airport, land at your destination, then drive right up to the relatives’ front door in half the time it would take regularly. No traffic jams, no battles at the airport and no waiting for a ride. Convenience in point-to-point transportation is quite appealing, but Bousfield, a student pilot, hopes that the Switchblade will even inspire non-pilots to get their license and do more travel up in the sky. “The future in transportation is up in the air,” Bousfield said. “Not on the ground.” The father of three’s flying car has really taken off since displaying his conceptual designs and information on the Switchblade at the largest air show event in the country the last two years — the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisc. The first year Bousfield said his car/plane was well received, so much so that the organizers of AirVenture told him his Switchblade would be a featured display at this year’s July/August show. And with the prominent display and more than 600,000 in attendance, interest grew — to the point where people have already been placing pre-orders. “It’s fascinating to me, I’m just happy to be a part of the whole project,” said Don Campbell, a flight instructor at Auburn Airport and member of the Switchblade team. “I’ve gotten more excited about it as time goes on, I’m excited to fly it.” Currently Bousfield is working with DARcorporation, an aeronautical engineering firm in Lawrence, Kan., to come up with the final design of the Switchblade. He is also working locally with Meadow Vista motorcycle builder Bob Johnson to build the Switchblade’s “test mules.” The “test mules” are the craft’s frame, suspension and drive train. These will be constructed and driven on a private test course sometime early next year. “We’ll make sure we have all the nuts and bolts worked out,” Bousfield said. Bousfield said the Switchblade, which will weigh approximately 1,500 pounds, will have the power-to-weight ratio comparable to a Ferrari California, and will hit speeds of 90 mph plus, all the while getting somewhere between 50 and 55 miles per gallon. “We’re going for sports car-like performance on the ground,” Bousfield said of the Switchblade, which will have front and rear crumple zones. “It leans in the corners.” The vehicle will be nearly 16 feet in length, 6 feet in width and a little over 5 feet in height. It will seat just two occupants, side-by-side, and it will have an in-flight cruising speed of 150 mph. The Switchblade, which will run around $85,000 for the kit and engine, will have a range of 880 miles on the ground and 340 miles in the air. The Switchblade kit will be made to accommodate three engine types, offering as much as 200 horsepower. Bousfield hopes to have a full-size model by the end of summer in 2010, and will have a flying Switchblade by the end of next year. “We anticipate building one (prototype), and seeing how we can improve it, and then build a second one on those improvements,” said the CEO, who reported 3,000 subscribers to his e-newsletter about the Switchblade. “Then, we’ll fly that one at the end of the year.” With hundreds of inquiries already by certified pilots — and from some of the children in scoutmaster Bousfield’s Boy Scout Troop — wanting to be the first test pilot, finding someone to take that inaugural flight won’t be a problem. The question is, can you haul some presents in the back? “It’s decent size,” Bousfield said of the trunk. “You can get two sets of golf clubs and still have some room.” Andrew DiLuccia can be reached at andrewd@goldcountrymedia.com. __________ Samson Motors Inc.’s Switchblade Kit cost: $60,000 Total estimated costs (depending on engine type): $85,000 For more information: www.samsonmotorworks.com Anticipated Standard Features -- Driver adjustable seat -- Continuously variable transmission (CVT) with forward, neutral reverse and flight mode; or five speed manual transmission option -- Doors on either side of vehicle -- Leather interior -- Safety glass front windshield and hard-coated plastic side windows -- Heating and air conditioning -- Stereo sound system with MP3 player input -- Multi-fuel engine -- Seat belt/safety harness -- Front and rear disc brakes -- Video rear view monitor -- Flexible electronic instrument main panel -- GPS moving map for ground and air use -- Extendable wings -- Dual ground/air lighting system -- Emergency location transmitter -- Back-up air speed, altitude and altimeter -- Ballistic chute recovery system.
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Yeah, whatever happened to flying cars? Disney showed us how we'd all be scooting around in nuclear powered flying cars way back in the '50's. Did we just give up on the idea....or stop dreaming?
:)
Kudo's to him, I sure hope he does a better job than Moller has, which is nothing more than a pipedream
Don't forget, after 10 years of tinkering with the kit to get it together you have a few small chores: get FAA type/class certification and, oh by the way, add $100,000 in Avionics. Good expensive hobby that has been done so many times before. :)
I hope that people dont miss the fact that this is a LOCAL man who has an idea (and a working prototype) that could revolutionize how we all travel. Yes this idea has been around for 60+ years, but as technology gets cheaper and more affordable, this could be something that we all use in the next ten years. Whether it works or not, I am very happy and proud of a local resident dreaming BIG and being very close to realizing his dream. Lets give this guy our support, and wish him the best.
Sam is a professional and this project is no fly-by-night garage-based wishful-thinking effort. He has done work for NASA in the recent past on breakthrough airplane engines. He has significant financial support from serious investors. This project is for real.
Despite a very busy schedule involving a lot of travel with the Switchblade Sam has continued his role as Scoutmaster of Meadow Vista's Troop 6 long after his own son finished the program as an Eagle Scout. Sam has mentored a number of young men; his troop has seen something like 50% or more of the scouts who stay with the troop for more than a couple of years reach the rank of Eagle. This rate is many times higher than the BSA average. But even more important Sam makes the scouting experience truly memorable, adding many "extras" into the schedule that make involvement in the troop far more than grinding through merit badges one after the other. I can't even begin to do justice to the Troop's activities but they include many hikes and backpacking trips, snowshoe camping, overnighting on the USS Hornet and Alcatraz Island, field trips to local sites of interest, bike trips, and much, much more.
Congratulations to Sam on the coverage here in the AJ. Look for him on TV at Fox 40 and Channel 3, too!
I watched the history channell over the weekend, they had the Aerocar and all the rest of the failed vehicles. Will this be one of them?
"AEROCAR" HITS THE ROAD - With its wings folded back against the fuselage, his flying auto is ready to cruise down the highway at 50 miles an hour. According to its Longview, Calif., designer, the airship can be converted to the auto "even by a woman, without soiling her gloves."
The Aerocar. Its technology dates back to the 1950s; the last Aerocar took flight in the early 1960s. There is a world of difference in the technology then versus what is available today. Your comment is like comparing a Corvair to a new model Miata. On every important characteristic the Mazda is far, far superior.
There is no guarantee of success with the Switchblade project. But it is a sober effort to do what many have tried to do before. The Aerocar did get FAA certification and it was sold commercially in very small numbers. It probably didn't make money; I don't know. We'll see how this goes but as an earlier commenter said, here's a local guy - a good guy - who is out there inventing, designing, attracting capital and doing something that is extremely interesting - why not support the effort? It's so easy to reside in the peanut gallery.
Rabidog, you shouldn't show your ignorance if front of so many people. This project is EXPERMENTAL, which means it doesn't need "type/class certification" A good avionics suite will run around $13,000 to $15,000. The biggest reason attempts to build roadable vehicles has failed in the past is the lack of funding, not expertise or effort. I believe this project will be a kit delivered 49 percent complete, which can be easily finished in less than a years time. Based on your comment I would guess it would probable take you 10 years to put together a plastic toy model.
Pingpong: What he is proposing is nothing more than a deranged version of a Cirrus SR20S with a CAPS BSD system. Heck, a used 1999 model can be purchased from Cirruslink.com for $119,000 1950 SMOH. That’s the cheapest model for an airplane, much less than one that “converts” to an automobile. Add one avionic, say a KLN 90B Bendix King IFR GPS, which you can get used on E-Bay for $600.00. (Take a cue from Eclipse; they are just in service mode now.) Building out of composites? How much does that cost?
Now, for amateur aircraft, just for jollies read AC90-89A at faa.gov. That is being appended right now by the FAA, for inclusion of sport aircraft. (I.e., low-time pilot killer).
VLJ are what the market demands
Also, you better check the following before you submit an experimental design:
FAR 23.573, 23.575, 23.611, 23.657, 23.673 through Amendment 23-48;
FAR 23.783, 23.785, 23.867, 23.1303, 23.1307, 23.1309, 23.1311, 23.1321, 23.1323, 23.1329, 23,1361, 23.1383, 23.1401, 23.1431, 23.1435 through Amendment 23-49;
FAR 23.3, 23.25, 23.143, 23.145, 23.155, 23.1325, 23.1521, 23.1543, 23.1555, 23.1559, 23.1567, 23.1583, 23.1585, 23.1589 through Amendment 23-50;
FAR 23.777, 23.779, 23.901, 23.907, 23.955, 23.959, 23.963, 23.965, 23.973, 23.975, 23.1041, 23.1091, 23.1093, 23.1107, 23.1121, 23.1141, 23.1143, 23.1181, 23.1191, 23.1337 through Amendment 23-51;
BTW, Where do you get your “avionics suite?” Tijuana Express?
Wow Rabidog, again your blog shows you don't have a clue. Comparing the project to a Cirrus SR20? I haven't seen one of those driving down the street in a long time. What do you really know about this project? Maybe if you investigated furthur before spouting off you might learn something. AC90-89A is a minor issue. As for all the FARs you list, what's the point? Do you mean to say it's impossible to build an emperimental homebuilt? Tell that to the local EAA chapter.
Why would this only be offered as a "kit". Is it due to the fact that furnishing said kit relieves the parts manufacture from liability?
At least the Aerocar was actually fully assembled. Aerocar was first built in 1950. My Dad had built airplanes in the early 1920's, he was 18 at the time his first plane flew. He took me with him to checkout the Aerocar as well as other "flying" cars that were being built during the early 50's.
I also got to ride in one of Charlie DeCosta's Tuckers. Auto's, planes and new technology have always been in my blood. I would like to see the Switchblade succeed, it will be a task to bring to market due to all the restraints that have been imposed since those early 50's.
Wow, People love to comment on things that they have no idea about. Rabidog, you need to do a little more research on your aviation knowledge. You show your ignorance with almost everything you write. Done any real reading lately? Are you a pilot? Are you in the aviation industry? Have you ever built a plane? Have you ever even talked to the FAA? I think all the clouds are in your head. Samson is the type of person that helps the aviation world grow and keep it interesting. What is your big accomplishment? Getting out of bed by noon?
Respectfully.... Oh yea... the earth is flat.
Wow, People love to comment on things that they have no idea about. Rabidog, you need to do a little more research on your aviation knowledge. You show your ignorance with almost everything you write. Done any real reading lately? Are you a pilot? Are you in the aviation industry? Have you ever built a plane? Have you ever even talked to the FAA? I think all the clouds are in your head. Samson is the type of person that helps the aviation world grow and keep it interesting. What is your big accomplishment? Getting out of bed by noon?
Respectfully.... Oh yea... the earth is flat.
pingpong: Invest all your money into this project. Call me in 4 years.
AV8OR8: Seeing double as usual?
This is an exceptional example of the misinformation out there about general aviation, specifically in this case sport aviation and the concept of kit-built experimental aircraft. To the pessimists on this thread, I am confused as to the motivation behind outlining to the general public the myriad regulations to which any aircraft manufacturer must comply. Different regulations pertain to different types, categories, and manufacturing methods, but remember that home-built experimental aircraft have been around longer than any single aviation regulation. Further, the analysis is akin to trotting out all of the FCC regulations that one must follow to start up a new venture such as wireless communications, all the while pointing out how past technologies may have struggled (oh, telegrams, where art thou?)
The point of the article is two-fold. First is to highlight the entrepreneurial motivation of a small group of dedicated professionals who have the financial, technical, and promotional skills to bring a vision to reality. The second is to promote general aviation itself. In this respect, I think more could have been said about how accessible such an aircraft can be to the general public and how safe general aviation is overall. I strongly encourage anyone who has an interest in aviation or technology to find out more about sport pilot or standard private pilot certification. Be ready to fly one of these in a few years when they take off. Good luck, Samson!
Have none of you ever heard of the Terrafugia? It is a true flying car, (actually flew this past spring and summer at KPBG-Plattsburgh International, in northeastern New York State. It's slated to start going on sale ;late next year at around $110,000. True roadable airplane, with folding wings, (powered as opposed to manual,) and can travel down the road at highway speeds with two people, It is light enough to be flown with a sport pilot license. It is NOT a kit car/plane either, fully assembled from the factory in Massachusetts..
We actually have a guy in placer county trying to build a flying car!?!? That' awesome! I didn't know about that. I'm glad this story was published. On a more philosophical note: Nay-saying is just another excuse to get out of trying something and...gasp...failing. It is also habit forming and annoying. Way to go Mr. Scoutmaster and Good Luck! Rules are meant to be broken.
Rabidog: I'm sorry you have to go through life as a pessimist...By the way are you a pilot (you never did answer that question)? Or just one of those know-it-all annoyances who believe they know more than the experts?
I took the time to look at many of those regulations you listed off and honestly believe it was a waste of your time (it was a waste of mine). What was the purpose of doing that? It is blatantly obvious that all aircraft for which part 23 applies (read 23.1), if looking for certification, need to meet certain requirements - otherwise *light goes off!* they won't be certified.
I'm not saying this idea will or will not succeed, I'm just saying that it is in the hands of those running project to meet the requirements - and I doubt anyone would purposely waste their time, money, and reputation on a fluke idea that doesn't meet regulations.
I also took a look at the advisory circular - and not really getting how it is applicable to your point (I'm obviously missing it entirely, because I don't see one). Please enlighten me, because as far as I can tell you've simply quoted a few regs and threw out, yes threw out a circular to somehow disprove your ignorance..
Almost forgot, Rabidog: Do you have any idea how the Cirrus corporation began? It began with a couple of brothers working to sell kit planes. Their story is interesting if you ever get a chance to read or hear it. I got to hear it and it really was inspiring. Sam Bousfield's story is similar in so many ways - and who knows, he might be the "Cirrus" of a new flying car industry (no idea is too far-fetched, look how far we've come in just barely over 100 years).