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Samson Sky’s Switchblade prototype made its official first flight on November 5, 2023, at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington. The headline’s $170,000 price is outdated: Samson Sky now lists estimated starting prices of $200,000 for a VFR kit and $235,000 for an IFR kit. The Switchblade remains under development, and its first flight was a prototype test—not a customer delivery or proof that a ready-to-fly aircraft is available.
What happened on the Switchblade’s first flight?
Samson Sky identifies November 5, 2023, as the Switchblade’s official first-flight date and says the test took place at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington. The company says the flight evaluated control authority, stability in all three axes, level flight, control balance and flap effectiveness. Samson Sky’s FAQ describes the test objectives.
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AOPA’s January 2024 report said the prototype flight lasted about six minutes and reached 500 feet. Samson Sky’s November 2023 announcement also described a six-minute flight to 500 feet. These are reported details of a test flight, not certified operating limits or evidence of routine customer operation.
Is the Switchblade still a $170,000 flying car?
No. The $170,000 figure is an earlier estimate. AOPA reported that Samson Sky’s January 2024 estimates were $170,000 for VFR and $195,000 for IFR. The company’s current models page lists estimated starting prices of $200,000 for VFR and $235,000 for IFR.
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| Configuration | Current estimated starting price |
|---|---|
| VFR | $200,000, listed by Samson Sky |
| IFR | $235,000, listed by Samson Sky |
These are manufacturer estimates, not confirmed final delivered costs. Samson Sky says the Builder Assist Program is included at no extra charge and gives it a stated value of $20,000; that valuation is the company’s. The company FAQ describes the program.
How is the Switchblade supposed to work?
Samson Sky describes the Switchblade as a three-wheel road vehicle whose wings swing out and tail extends at an airport before flight. The company says the transformation takes under three minutes. On its current models page, Samson Sky lists speeds up to 190 mph. These are design and performance claims from the manufacturer, not independently verified results from customer use.
AOPA’s January 2024 coverage reported the then-published manufacturer estimates below. They are historical estimates, not demonstrated production specifications or guarantees:
| Measure | Historical manufacturer estimate reported by AOPA in January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Range | 450 miles |
| Cruise speed | 160 mph |
| Maximum airspeed | 200 mph |
| Takeoff distance | 1,100 feet |
| Landing distance | 700 feet |
| Road fuel economy | 33 mpg |
| Fuel use in flight | 9.5 gallons per hour |
Source: AOPA, January 8, 2024.
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Samson Sky presents the Switchblade as an experimental/amateur-built kit with an included Builder Assist Program. The company says the owner must build the required portion. That makes the build obligation central to ownership: the Switchblade is not presented as a factory-built, fully certified aircraft ready for immediate road and air use. For the company’s description of the kit and assistance, see its FAQ.
What licenses and practical approvals would an owner need?
Samson Sky says flying the Switchblade requires a private pilot license and summarizes road use as requiring a car or motorcycle license, while cautioning that rules vary by location. That short summary is not a complete legal checklist. Road registration, aircraft registration, operating limitations, insurance, airport access and pilot qualifications may each require separate verification with the relevant authorities and providers.
When will customers receive the Switchblade?
Samson Sky’s homepage reports continued development work and production preparation, but the reviewed company material does not establish a firm delivery date or final configuration. Its June 30, 2026 update describes a third round of radiator testing using the flight-test prototype; a May 20, 2026 update says it was speaking with contractors for a first production facility and hiring in preparation for production. These updates indicate ongoing work, not a confirmed customer delivery schedule. See Samson Sky’s development updates.
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