The Samson Switchblade is a street-legal car that has received its airworthiness certificate from the FAA, and now it has made its maiden flight. Veteran pilot Robert Moehle took the Switchblade on a 6-minute flight 500 feet above the ground. The highly-anticipated two-seater has received 2,300 reservations from 57 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., and the news of the successful maiden flight will likely see that grow. The Switchblade needs an airport runway to take off and you must have a private pilot’s license to fly it. It uses unleaded gasoline rather than leaded airplane fuel and needs three minutes to switch into flying mode. Owners will be able to fuel up at any standard gas station. The aircraft can then be flown to the airport nearest your destination at up to 150mph, with a range of 500 miles. It can reach altitudes of 13,000 feet, and once landed it folds in its wings and tail and is small enough to be parked in a normal garage. The Switchblade comes in two kit types, a $180,000 model that permits a pilot to operate in clear weather conditions, and a $200,000 version to fly under different weather conditions, including flying into clouds and with zero visibility. All models are shipped in a kit format, and must be assembled by a professional.
