PRINEVILLE, Ore. - Samson Sky has announced plans for a pilot training program for those who are not yet pilots. Citing the increasingly large number of non-pilots who have reserved their Switchblade, a high-performance vehicle that both drives and flies, the company intends to use this program to help streamline the customer experience.
Samson has had extensive marketing surveys done of the regional traveler market in particular – people who take trips of 250-500 miles, for business or pleasure or both. There are an estimated 22 MM regional travelers in the U.S.
Samson CEO and Founder Sam Bousfield said, "The survey results of regional travelers showed a remarkable level of interest in purchasing a flying car, and eighty percent of those expressing interest were non-pilots. Based on these survey numbers, if we produced thousands of vehicles a year, we might not even scratch the surface of the demand we are seeing for a vehicle such as the Switchblade."
The company emphasized that the program is not exclusively for Switchblade owners, and non-customers will also be able to take advantage of the program to earn their 'wings'.
Company officials stated that while some people have the idea that getting a pilot's license can act as a barrier to entry in the aviation industry, history tells the opposite. Cited as an example, after an airline pilot shortage was predicted, many people saw this as a perfect opportunity to pursue a new career, and the number of U.S. student pilots tripled over five years, reaching nearly 320,000 by 2023.
For pilot training, the company plans to collaborate with established flight schools while simultaneously laying the foundation for its own training infrastructure.
