Provision for flying cars in new Minnesota legislation
Flying cars may be a step nearer to legislative reality in Minnesota, US as the state’s Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill package including, amongst other elements, a…
Flying cars may be a step nearer to legislative reality in Minnesota, US as the state’s Governor Tim Walz signed into law a bill package including, amongst other elements, a provision for ‘roadable’ aircraft.
Measures allowing registration of roadable aircraft were included in a House and Senate agreement to the transportation policy bill HF3436*/SF3944, including rules governing the operation of the vehicles; essentially considering them cars whilst on the road. Take off or landing on public roads would be prohibited.
“There’s a lot of good things in this bill. A lot of good ideas proposed by the members of both the GOP [Republican Party] and the DFL [Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor party],” said Minnesota House of Representatives assistant majority leader Brad Tabke.
Minnesota is the second US state to pass such legislation, following New Hampshire’s 2020 passage of the ‘Jetson Bill,’ allowing state registration of roadable aircraft. Samson Sky, designer and developer of the Switchblade ‘flying car,’ provided industry input to both this bill and the recent Minnesota ruling. “I’m happy that there was such a great show of support from the state legislature,” confirmed Samson Sky legislative analyst Russell Bousfield, who added that the company will continue to propose and support similar legislation across the US.
Samson Sky’s Switchblade hybrid-electric vehicle made its maiden flight in November 2023 and so far has received reservations from over 50 countries worldwide. The two-seat, street-legal Switchblade will run on unleaded auto gas (rather than aviation fuel) and can fly up to 500 miles on a single refuelling. The company intends to commence production in 2025.
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