The US develops a 3-wheeled hybrid aircraft 322 km/h

Switchblade - 3-wheeler hybrid aircraft.

After 14 years of development, Switchblade has been issued a flight license by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Samson Sky's engineering team in California is preparing for test flights.

The Switchblade is named for the way the wings protrude from beneath the two-seater cabin in flight. The tail also protrudes behind the large propeller and opens in a T-shape. According to Samson Sky, the one-button transformation from a 3-wheeler configuration running on the road to an airplane takes less than 3 minutes.

The vehicle is powered by a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a capacity of 190 horsepower. This engine is used as a generator, providing power for the wheels in driving mode and the motor for propellers in flight. In the form of a 3-wheeler, the Switchblade can reach speeds of over 201 km/h.

At take-off, the Switchblade's standard cruise speed is 257 km/h and a range of 724 km on full tank of fuel (125 liters). The vehicle can fit in a regular garage if the flying mechanism is folded down. Switchblade is only 1.5 m high and occupies a small area (5.1 x 1.8 m), similar to a family sedan. With the carriage, the user can easily ride on the road and move at high speed in the air if there is a traffic jam, and eventually drive the car straight into the parking lot.

The FAA inspected the prototype and approved the flight registration as a test aircraft. Switchblade engineers are preparing the vehicle for take-off in the coming weeks, which will include a high-speed test on the runway.