AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2024 - 41

AV I AT ION HISTORY /
Samson Switchblade flying car gets new look
Humble genius
Igor Sikorsky May 1889-October 1972
IGOR SIKORSKY WAS born in Russia in 1889. In
his 83 years on this Earth, the inventor, often
called a " humble genius, " achieved so many
firsts in aviation, it's almost hard to believe.
While still in Russia before the revolution,
Sikorsky invented the first multiengine aircraft;
it had four engines and he designed it in 1913.
Samson Sky, maker of the
experimental Switchblade flying
sports car, announced design
improvements that the company
says will address the vehicle's
thrust/drag issues.
The successful first flight of the
Switchblade was in November
2023. The company refined the
design of the original rear, single
ducted fan, and fuselage. These
redesigns allowed the company
to keep what worked well in the
original design but add protection
for the flight components when
in ground mode, and improve
performance.
" We validated many parameters
during flight testing including
stability in all three [axes], positive
control authority, balanced control
feel, and effectiveness of the flaps
for descent and landing. We also
saw we needed more thrust and
less drag, " said Sam Bousfield,
Samson Sky founder and CEO.
The new design was showcased
with a one-fourth-scale model
alongside the full-size flying
prototype at EAA AirVenture.
" In May, we used a mostly 3D
printed model to validate the
enhanced configuration in the
Kirsten Wind Tunnel at the
University of Washington in
Seattle. The new, larger wing and
tail complemented the thruster
efficiency increase, and body drag
decrease, " Bousfield said.
Changes include a new powerplant
design with two rear open-air
thrusters, a new fully enclosed
folding tail, increased maximum
gross takeoff weight, decreased
landing and takeoff speed, new
body shape with reduced drag,
increased fuel capacity to 40
gallons, and an increased wing
area from 67 to 99 square feet.
The Switchblade achieved 125
mph during ground testing, and
wind tunnel testing confirmed the
vehicle's ability to cruise at 160
mph in flight.
Samson Sky plans to offer a
builder-assist program that allows
purchasers to spend a week
using the company's automated
building processes to complete
their portion of the build while
still adhering to the experimental
category 51-percent rule. The
company also plans to include
the development of an artificially
intelligent co-pilot and a training
program for owners who are not
pilots. -Niki Britton
He had also designed the first of his helicopter
designs in 1909 and 1910. His first solo was in
an airplane of his own design. Escaping Russia
during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 because
he would have been considered a noble (there is
a historic photo of Sikorsky with Tzar Nicholas),
he started his aircraft company in New York
and his team of Russian immigrants produced
successful amphibious aircraft, the S-38 and the
S-42 flying boat. He designed the first practical
helicopter in 1939. It is said he believed his
proudest accomplishment was the invention of
the helicopter because of the many lives it has
saved as a rescue aircraft. -JSW
sikorskyarchives.com
AOPA PILOT / October 2024
41
http://www.sikorskyarchives.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2024

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2024 - Cover3
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