The idea of a car that turns into a plane in three minutes sounds like a dream.
Imagine youre driving along during peak hour.
And Im here to burst your bubble following the news ofSamson Skyssuccessful FAA inspection.
Specifically, the company repeated high-speed acceleration runs down the runway up to take-off speed.
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Is it a plane?
Is it a car?
Technically the Samson Sky Switchblade is classified in the US as a three-wheeled motorcycle but it also flies.
Legally you are as dependent on (certified) airfields with runways as any regular airplane.
This means your take-off and landing location flexibility is identical to existing planes.
So, where can a flying car lift off?
I spoke to Corvin Huber, CEO and CTO ofSkyroads, to get some insider knowledge on the logistics.
Currently, there are no facilities developed specifically for use by private flying cars in the US.
Further, we still dont know exactly howflyingcar owners will book their launch slot.
Not sounding so spontaneous now.
And, theres also the challenge of getting your Switchblade.
Wait, you have to build your own air car?
The Switchblade will be registered as an Experimental Homebuilt aircraft in the air.
And you have to build it yourself.
According to the company, the build time for the Switchblade Kit is approximately 2,000 hours for at-home builders.
All that would remain would be the paint job or vinyl wrap.
Then, theres the challenge of being approved to fly your air car.
Youre going to need licenses
Owners of the Switchbladeflyingcar need aviation and car driving licenses.
How the heck do you insure a flying car?
Car insurance is already laborious if you should probably make a significant claim.
But things become even more complex with a flying car.
To date, no insurance policy exists for personal flying cars.
How would you even get insurance permission to store your flying car in your home garage?
What if it gets stolen (oh lordy, the hilarity)?
Then, imagine the pain of dealing with two insurers and trying to get your claim approved.
You personally are responsible for the flyability of the design and its continued airworthiness.
Samson plans to manufacture a certified Switchblade in the future, claiming that the current design is almost compliant.
However, this will drastically increase the price.
Air mobility is supposed to advance sustainable transport, not add clutter.
But, Samson is working extremely hard to provide the necessary infrastructure to make the dream a reality.
For the rest of us, dont hold your breath.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
