Samson Sky Skybird

Samson Sky is developing a hybrid electric drive system called Skybird. The system uses an internal combustion engine to power a combination starter/generator. The generator portion provides power to the wheels on the ground when in Drive Mode. The 190 hp internal combustion engine is a liquid-cooled, turbocharged three-cylinder that Samson modified for aircraft use. It uses gasoline (as opposed to aviation fuel) and its throttle-by-wire, has electronic ignition, fuel injection, an integrated oil cooler, and a counter-balanced crankshaft to lessen vibration. Samson calls the engine Samson 3.
On the street, the Switchblade is a street-legal vehicle. Cornering is said to be like a typical automobile. Some of its features include disc brakes, an intuitive high-tech dash, and climate controlled cabin. It’s no slouch in the performance department, with a max speed of 125-plus mph. Packing a 36-gallon fuel tank, the Switchblade is said to deliver around 33 miles per gallon on the street. This gives the Switchblade a driving range of almost 1,200 miles. In Drive Mode the Switchblade’s width is 6 feet and the length is 16.8 feet. With their tucked-away design, the wings and tail stay out of harm’s way no matter where you roam, making everyday travel a breeze. Additionally, there are many safety items including front and rear crumple zones, side intrusion and roll-over protection.
The Switchblade’s transition from Drive Mode to Flight Mode only takes about three minutes. Two independent actions are required. This avoids the possibility of accidently deploying the wings and tail. During the mode change the wings and tail will extend automatically. In Flight Mode, Switchblade has a wingspan of 26.9 feet and a length of 20.2 feet. Throttle control shifts from the gas pedal to a hand throttle located between the seats. State-of-the-art flight instruments guide you on your way. In the air, the Samson Sky Switchblade has a cruising speed of 160 mph, a maximum airspeed of 200 mph, and a max altitude of 13,000 feet. Max range is 450 miles, and it burns 9.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The estimated payload is 575 pounds, take-off distance is 1,100 feet, and landing distance is 700 feet.