---
title: "FAA Greenlights Adorable Flying Car for Test Flights"
description: "The FAA has deemed the Samson Sky Switchblade — a street-legal, three-wheeled VTOL described as a \"flying sports car\" — airworthy enough for trial flights."
date: "2022-08-03"
modified: "2022-08-03"
authors:
  - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré"
    job_title: "Senior Staff Writer"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/faa-greenlights-flying-car-test-flights"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
tags:
  - "evtol"
  - "flying cars"
  - "the digest"
  - "vtol"
---

# FAA Greenlights Adorable Flying Car for Test Flights

![The FAA has deemed the Samson Sky Switchblade — a street-legal, three-wheeled VTOL described as a "flying sports car" — airworthy enough for trial flights.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/faa-greenlights-flying-car-test-flights2.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Samson Sky\</em\>*

## The Switchblade

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has deemed a prototype of the Samson Sky Switchblade — a street-legal three-wheeler that's capable of vertical take off and landing (VTOL) — airworthy and ready for trial flights, [according to local news station *KOIN*](<https://thehill.com/homenews/wire/3577776-flying-car-could-be-weeks-away-from-takeoff/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter>).

It's a big win for Oregon-based, roadable aircraft maker Samson Sky, which has been working on the delightfully cartoonish flying sports car for 14 years — and, perhaps, a vote of confidence for the future of the flying car.

"Artists dream the future, and that future is filled with flying cars," the [company's website reads](<https://www.samsonsky.com/>). "If you share that dream, the Switchblade was designed for you. Welcome to the Future!"

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/faa-greenlights-flying-car-test-flights.jpg>)

## Little Racer

According to [*New Atlas*](<https://newatlas.com/aircraft/samson-switchblade-flying-car-flight-faa-approval/>), the speedy hybrid VTOL is designed to turn itself into aircraft at the touch of a button, and boasts land and air speeds of over 125 and 200 mph, respectively.

It's also no larger than a family sedan, which means that in a matter of years, people could literally be keeping their own Switchblade in their garage — that is, if they can afford the $150,000 price tag.

## Still Far Off

While the FAA clearing this adorable little number is certainly an exciting moment for the VTOL market, we likely won't be seeing consumer-grade flying cars hitting the market any time soon.

So far, the company has only taken the little racer for a speedy run along a runway — without ever taking off.

And unlike [lightweight personal aircrafts like the Jetson One](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avbX0iQLrgQ>), Switchblade owners will need a regular pilot's license in order to operate the powerful little craft.

Still, Samson Sky seems very encouraged by the FAA decision, with the company's CEO Sam Bousfield telling *KOIN* that he is, in fact, "stoked."

And we can't blame him!

**READ MORE:** *[Flying car could be weeks away from takeoff](<https://thehill.com/homenews/wire/3577776-flying-car-could-be-weeks-away-from-takeoff/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter>)* \[*The Hill*\]

**More transportation news:** [*New Analysis Finds That Blocky Cybertruck Has Enviable Wind Resistance*](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/cybertruck-wind-resistance>)

## Author
At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride."

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/mharrisondupre.bsky.social>)