Flying car slowly taking shape in Prineville

Want to get away? Wish you had a private jet? Well, there’s a prototype in the works which will turn your car into an airplane and your driveway into a runway.

“Drive it from your house, take off, and land right where you want to go,” said Sam Bousfield, of Samson Motors, Inc.

The action took flight 6 years ago, but the idea was born long before that.

“For so many generations literally that visualized a car that flies,” said Community Relations Manager, Larry Moore.

And at Prineville Airport that is slowly becoming a reality.

“Now we are building the part which is the cool part,” said Bousfield.

“Things are really starting to come to life,” added Moore.

Their hangar houses a variety of prototypes.

So, let’s check it out!

At 138 pounds, the Switchblade’s 180-horsepower engine is light.

“You need something and strong and powerful for a flying car,” said Bousfield.

It’s fast but it’s still practical, so you can bring the necessities such as fishing tackle and golf clubs.

Samson Motor’s goal for the Switchblade is simple.

“Give people more freedom in their transportation,” said Moore.

One model has already passed the wind tunnel test with flying colors.

“We get guys looking at it, saying ‘this looks like it’s going to work’,” said Bousefield.

The excitement is taking off.

“Getting a lot of response from literally all over the world,” said Moore.

On a regular tank of gas the Switchblade can fly up to 350 miles.

Then you’ll be up, up, and away in no time!

“The wings swing out, the tail shifts back, and it’s a 200 mph airplane,” Bousefield said.

If you’d like to own your own Switchblade, it’ll set you back about $100,000.

The first test flight is scheduled for next spring.