Minnesota governor Tim Walz signed into law a bipartisan transportation bill package which contained a provision for roadable aircraft, described as an “airplane that can be driven to and from an airport or private landing strip”, a clear method of state registration allowing their use on state roads and highways.
A statement from Samson Sky, one of the companies benefiting from the legislation, said: “The new legislation specifies that drivers of roadable aircraft are required to adhere to the rules of the road while driving, the same as any other car, truck, bicycle or motorcycle.
“The Samson Sky Switchblade Flying Sports Car and the handful of other flying car designers world-wide have received a boost with this legislation”.
Samson Sky’s legislative analyst Russell Bousfield provided industry input to Minnesota’s senate transportation and public safety committee. Bousfield commented; “I’m happy that there was such a great show of support from the state legislature. It was also great to see independent interest for using roadable aircraft for business and travel in Minnesota.”
Bousfield affirmed that Samson will continue to propose and support similar legislation across the US.
Minnesota is the second in the nation to pass such legislation, after New Hampshire’s 2020 passage of the first-ever legislation for state registration of roadable aircraft.