Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky and the designer of the Switchblade flying sports car, presented his vision for regional air mobility at the 19th Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium, held at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh. The event brought together innovators and leaders in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to discuss the future of electric and hybrid flight technologies.
Speaking on the Regional Air Mobility panel, Bousfield emphasised the Switchblade’s role in transforming travel for distances of 250 to 500 miles, a segment he claims includes over 21 million regional travellers in the U.S. alone.
The Switchblade is a hybrid roadable aircraft designed to operate both on highways and in the air. “It’s a fully enclosed design that drives like a car and flies like an aircraft,” Bousfield said. He highlighted several key features:
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Garage-storable design
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Seats for two passengers and luggage
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450-mile flight range on premium auto gas
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Cruise speed of 160 mph
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No new technologies needed for production
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Standard auto insurance eligibility when in driving mode
Bousfield revealed that the first of three production test vehicles is currently under construction, with pricing aimed at making regional air mobility affordable and accessible to a broader public.
He was joined on the panel by David Copeland of Bristell Aircraft and Drew McEwen of AURA AERO as they discussed emerging regulatory developments. A new framework from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a prior executive order on flying cars signed by former President Donald Trump are catalysing growth in the AAM sector.
The symposium featured over 40 industry leaders and innovators, including representatives from Joby Aviation, Wisk Aero, and Bye Aerospace, who shared perspectives on safety, sustainability, and scalable solutions in the evolving electric aviation landscape.
Samson Sky’s appearance at the event underlines growing interest in personal air vehicles as the next frontier in transportation, combining performance, convenience, and emerging regulatory support.