Supersonic renaissance announced by Aerion and Lockheed Martin

Aerion and Lockheed Martin Join Forces to Develop World’s First Supersonic Business Jet. Lockheed Martin’s supersonic experts to offer full support for the development of the Aerion AS2 supersonic bizjet. Two leaders in supersonic technology, Aerion and Lockheed Martin join forces to develop world’s first supersonic business jet. The next- generation, efficient supersonic jet will … Read more

A glimpse of what Pipistrel Aircraft hopes is the future of flight

This new nearly silent electric airplane from Pipistrel creates no emissions. Pipistrel’s first electric airplane arrived in Canada. The environment-friendly Pipistrel, the electric aircraft company not producing any emissions, is in the final phase of having the Pipistrel Alpha Electro approved in the Canadian advanced ultra-light category. Pipistrel is a Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer established … Read more

Samson Motors Switchblade is a real flying car that actually flies

Samson Motors Switchblade metallic
Samson Motors Switchblade; Image: samsonmotorworks

The Switchblade – The World’s First Flying Sports Car Has the best of both worlds.

The revolutionary Switchblade three-wheeled Flying Car leads the field as the first of this new vehicle line to meet the growing demand for flying cars and roadable aircraft.

On the ground you will need either an automobile license or a motorcycle license. In the air you will need a private pilot license.

The Switchblade is a three wheel, street legal vehicle that you drive from your garage to a nearby local airport. Once there, the wings swing out and the tail extends in under 3 minutes. You then fly your registered aircraft directly to the destination – at up to 200 mph and 13,000 feet. You simply land, transform your flying sports car back to driving mode – the wings safely stowed and protected – and continue to your final destination.

The Italian-inspired clean shape is designed to produce a down-force in gusty wind conditions, stabilizing the lightweight vehicle on the road. The wings are set at the correct angle so you literally fly the plane off the runway. Landings are similar, in that you simply fly the vehicle onto the runway to land.

Standard features of these flying car include extendable wings and tail, wings fully protected while driving, redundant ignition and fuel systems,5-speed transmission for driving, dual ground / air  lighting systems, digital instrument display, premium sound system, heating and air conditioning, adjustable leather seats,  complete vehicle parachute, front and rear crumple zones, a roll over protection, front and rear disc brakes, safety glass front windshield.

Samson Motors Switchblade Samson Motors Switchblade red

Samson Motors Switchblade Flying Car PERFORMANCE:

Maximum Airspeed: 190 mph / 305 kph;
Cruise speed: 160 mph / 257 kph;
Max driving speed: 125+ mph / 201+ kph;
Range: 450 miles / 724 km;
Fuel capacity: 30 gal / 114 L;
Take-off distance: 1,100 ft / 335 m;
Landing distance: 1,600 ft / 488 m;
Stall speed (with flaps): 67 mph / 108 kph;
Max Takeoff Weight: 1,750 lb / 794 kg;
Payload: 544 lb / 247 kg.

Experimental / Homebuilt class, requires the owner to build 51% of the vehicle, says Samson Motors, so the kit is delivered majorly assembled.  Should you desire professional assistance, one of the company Builder Assist Centers will be able to help you complete the vehicle in as  little as three weeks, adds Samson Motors.

Samson Motors Switchblade - silver

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR SWITCHBLADE 1-1.5 YEARS EARLIER THAN THE CROWDS?

Right now, there is an easy way to beat the crowds and get a much earlier delivery position. It’s called the Switchblade Reservation Program.

“Currently, there is no money required until after we fly. After that point, for Reservation Holders, there will be a $2,000 deposit, refundable less $500. Once our first Switchblade comes off the production line and deliveries have begun, the Deposit turns hard,  and you either stay in, maintaining your position, or are refunded $1,500,” explained Samson Motors Switchblade.

Gyronautics, Airplanes without runways, and the transport revolution: On-demand urban air taxis are one step closer to reality

Switch Mobility And Skyworks Global Announced a Joint Venture. Coud this joint venture introduce a viable urban air taxi model?   Door-to-door, customized transportation experience may soon only be a click away, says Skyworks, the world’s leading expert in gyronautics, a sustained autorotative flight platform. Gyronautics, a technology born nearly a century ago, modernized by … Read more

Endless Flight: The Solar-powered Zephyr could fly forever

Zoom on the stratospheric balloon: First manned flight test for the Zephyr Endless Flight – a project aiming to go on an 8000-metre-high voyage using only helium and the sun.

ZephyrEndlessFlight-
images: zeph.fr

The Perpetuum mobile, literally meaning “perpetual motion”, is one of the biggest dreams of human kind. The history of perpetual motion machines dates back to the Middle Ages and continues to the aviation sector with this version of “perpetuum volant” coming from France. The Solar-powered Zephyr project launched by Zephyr Endless Flight can climb and descent without ballast or fuel. Zephyr is taking a fresh look at the balloon concept offering an eco-friendly customizable journey with fully flexible departures and flights. Zephyr will go on an 8000-metre-high voyage using only helium and the sun.

By exclusively using solar energy, Zephyr leaves no trace in the atmosphere and opens the way for new data collection in many scientific fields. Zephyr is set to break an emblematic record: the longest manned flight. Carried by winds, two pilots will fly nonstop for 30 days in an extraordinary human adventure.

With its partners, Zephyr is also preparing the future with totally new journeys: flying at 25km in the stratopshere, at the edge of space.

Zephyr has no limitation of the standard balloon and is able to regulate its altitude without making use of ballast. Taking advantage of radical technical changes, the balloon exclusively uses solar energy and can fly without any fuel or any imposed time limit.

CNES ZephyrEndlessFlight 2017 Zephyr Endless Flight at CNES

The gondola, a real base for exploration

An 8m2 space where everything is provided for: rest, food, oxygen, insulation against the sun and the cold and even… sport  with an exercise bike which is essential to keep fit and can even produce electricity.

A wide range of emergency equipment is stocked on board, enabling the pilots to cope with every perceivable circumstance. Specific procedures have been established with assistance services and air telemedicine can be contacted round the clock by satellite.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kRXXagv3fM

Supersonic commercial aircraft could take to the skies in a little over five years

“I remember thinking, in 2007 when the iPhone came out, that the world was getting faster and better. That wasn’t so true with flying – flights today take as long as they did in the 1950s.” Boom Supersonic’s Blake Scholl The next generation of supersonic commercial aircraft could take to the skies in a little … Read more