The Sand & Fun Airshow in Riyadh buzzed with innovation, showcasing the future of aviation with the impressive Switchblade flying car from Oregon-based Samson Sky. This remarkable dual-mode aircraft blurs the lines between road and sky, garnering significant attention at the event, which ran from November 25 to 29, 2025, at Al Thumamah Airport. As the Middle East’s largest general aviation showcase, it attracted over 120,000 visitors from 90 countries, and the Switchblade flying car was undoubtedly a major highlight, marking a significant debut for the aircraft in the region.
The Switchblade Flying Car: A Car and a Plane
Samson Sky has designed a truly remarkable machine, an Oregon innovation that functions as a standard car before transforming into an aircraft. The Switchblade flying car’s transformation takes under three minutes, with its wings folding neatly under the body and the tail retracting. On the road, it’s a three-wheeled vehicle boasting sports car performance, accelerating from 0-60 mph in five seconds and reaching a top road speed of 125 mph. In the air, the Switchblade flying car cruises at about 160 mph and can travel up to 500 miles. Its ability to fit into a typical garage makes the Switchblade flying car practical for daily life, offering a novel solution for regional travel and aiming for broader adoption, which significantly impacts the personal air travel sector.
Visionary Saudi Arabia Partnership for the Switchblade Flying Car
Samson Sky’s presence in Riyadh was strategic, strongly aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to boost tourism and trade and make the Kingdom a global hub. The Switchblade flying car’s dual capability directly supports this by expanding connectivity across regions and facilitating easier travel. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Founder and Board Chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), met with the Samson Sky team, where CEO Sam Bousfield explained the Switchblade flying car and its potential impact. This meeting drew considerable interest and highlighted future possibilities for this innovative vehicle.
A Landmark Collaboration for the Switchblade Flying Car
An important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Samson Sky and the SAC, paving the way for future operations of the Switchblade flying car. This agreement includes training programs for Switchblade mechanics and pilots. Samson Sky will assist with its approval for use in Saudi Arabia, while the SAC will provide facilities for sales and demonstrations, including access to its airport system across the Kingdom. The SAC actively promotes a passion for flying, and this partnership advances that goal, directly supporting Vision 2030’s objectives and signaling strong regional interest in the Switchblade flying car.
Future of Personal Aviation and the Switchblade Flying Car
The Sand & Fun Airshow featured more than just the Switchblade flying car, with over 100 airshows and static displays allowing close inspection of various aircraft. A trade exhibition highlighted industry innovations, and “Hangar Talks” featured experts discussing sustainable aviation and new technologies like eVTOLs and AI. The presence of the Switchblade flying car fits this theme perfectly, representing a tangible step forward and showing the increasing viability of personal air travel. The Middle East is embracing this future, and the development of flying cars like the Switchblade is progressing rapidly, with Samson Sky being a leader in this emerging field and offering a unique product.
Enhancing Leisure and Business with the Switchblade Flying Car
The Switchblade flying car offers enhanced leisure by providing new ways to experience travel, and its business applications are vast. Companies can gain a competitive edge with faster travel, improving efficiency and allowing key personnel to cover longer distances for business development and responsiveness. The Switchblade flying car provides schedule control, reducing reliance on commercial flights and potentially improving employee lifestyle and job satisfaction. This technology promises significant benefits, aiming to redefine personal mobility. The Saudi market shows great promise for this technology, supporting the nation’s ambitious goals and bringing the flying car closer to reality. This is exciting news for the future mobility solutions sector.
