The sales at EAA AirVenture represent nearly $22 million in value.
With the added interest at Oshkosh, Samson Sky now has more than 2,400 reservations across 57 countries, including from customers in all 50 US states. Those buyers will put down a $2,000 deposit within 45 days of the announcement of Switchblade's first flight. But about 100 have already pre-purchased the vehicle at full price to skip the queue.
"It was great to be back at AirVenture to take advantage of all the industry experts and suppliers who attend the show," said Sam Bousfield, founder and CEO of Samson Sky and lead designer of the Switchblade. "We were able to hold several key meetings with future partners and investors that made the show an even bigger success for us."
Bousfield and Samson Sky revealed the current iteration of the Switchblade, which has been in development for more than a decade, at Oshkosh in 2018, where it picked up over 100 reservations. Now, the design is headed for its first full flight after the company received FAA approval to begin airborne tests in June 2022. The firm describes its design as a flying sports car: the twoseat, three-wheel, street legal vehicle parks in the owner's garage, drives on highways, taxis and takes off on an airport runway and flies like an airplane.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Future Flight.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry
The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.
NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars
The space agencies signed a new agreement that will see NASA supply heating units for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which could launch as soon as 2028.
Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought
An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.
Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test
Results from the world's first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional Jet A-1 fuel.
Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension
Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.
First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft
Electra's blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take-off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft.
Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims
In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.
Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub
The German manufacturer says it is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the French government to add a high-volume aircraft production facility in France, citing it as an attractive market for its flagship Lilium Jet. The company plans for the aircraft to enter service in 2026.
Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation
Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing
Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.
