More Robust Presence And Presentation Indicates Stronger Business Position

Samson Sky brought a significantly stronger display and presence to Oshkosh this year relative to previous years. ANN has monitored progress by Samson for several years and this year the company has a robust display, a nearly finished product, and a more polished presence than ever before. Samson has obviously had a significant infusion of support for the product and company. Previously the company presented as somewhat fresh and naïve to the Oshkosh arena, this year the company looks like a possible contender in the flying car field.

The company has on display a seemingly very complete prototype car/airplane/motorcycle which it says is nearly ready for flight. Company representatives have confirmed the structure is complete, the systems are complete, yet both have some proofing to finish before engine runs are accomplished and systems are checked out. With the complex wing swing and very complex tail folding mechanism it may be another full year before the product does indeed fly.

Visitors to Oshkosh have watched this product develop from concept to physical form and the company has been refreshingly upfront about difficulties and teething pains encountered in developing such a complex machine. President and CEO Sam Bousfield has made no bones about the fact that the development of the skyblade has been arduous, but nevertheless the company has never wavered from focus on the goal.

Along with obvious progress on the airframe Samson has introduced a digital dash that is quite impressive and incorporates aircraft functions seamlessly with automobile functions. This patent pending digital dashboard allows user customization for the Eyes Forward Display of the dash, which changes from flight gauges to driving gauges depending on the mode of the flying car.

One unique feature is the incorporation of both vehicle malfunction warnings, and the checklist to handle each specific emergency. “You no longer have to search for an emergency handling card, as the checklist automatically appears on the Eyes Forward Display in front of pilot and co-pilot”, said Samson CEO, Sam Bousfield. “This should mean faster response to an emergency, and hopefully, a more successful outcome for the pilot and passenger - and we believe this is a first for small aircraft.”

One portion of the digital screen switches from lesser important data such as hobs time to give a warning indication such as low fuel or low oil pressure. Additionally, a second section of the screen shows the first two or three lines of the appropriate emergency handling checklist from the Pilot Operating Handbook. Touch the screen anywhere, and the checklist scrolls down to reveal the next lines of the checklist. "In many emergency situations, fast action can reduce or prevent serious damage to engine or equipment. Not having to search for a checklist should allow the pilot to more easily do their main job, which is to fly the airplane”, explained Bousfield.

Other progress achieved in the last six months was the design and construction of a flying car transmission, the turbo engine installation, design and construction of a propeller disconnect feature, static wing and static boom testing to Part 23 Standards, and testing of the fly-by-wire rudder system. Further testing of the rudder system is scheduled to check all fault modes, prior to flight testing. Samson is fast approaching Reservation Position 1,000.

(Images provided by Samson Sky and staff)

FMI: www.SamsonSky.com