Oregon, USA
Sam Bousfield, CEO and Founder of world-class flying car maker Samson Sky recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with International Development Consultant Bakhtiyor Bahodurov, a senior development and policy advisor with more than two decades of experience across Central Asia. Mr. Bahodurov is widely recognized for facilitating high-level cross-sector partnerships between government institutions, international organizations and private sector investors, particularly in the areas of economic development, infrastructure and innovative initiatives, bringing in more than $12MM to Tajikistan and over $35MM to Kazakhstan.
“SAMSON SKY – Welcome to Central Asia” event and MOU signing (From left to right): Bakhtiyor Bahodurov, International Development Consultant; Dilshod Jurazoda, Director of Investments, TajInvest; Sam Bousfield, CEO and Founder of Samson Sky; Anna Grebenshchikova, Ambassador for Samson Sky; Alimakhmad Kurbonov, Deputy CEO of Somon Air; and Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, Head of Certification and Oversight, Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan
The MOU signing took place during the “SAMSON SKY – Welcome to Central Asia” event in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, and brought together senior leaders from government, banking, aviation, and international business. The event was highlighted in the news that afternoon by the country’s national broadcaster, TV Jahonnamo, which daily attracts 81% of the population.
Dignitaries in attendance included Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, Head of Certification and Oversight Division of the Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan; Hasan Asadullozoda, Board Chairman of Orienbank, a leading commercial Tajikistan bank; Ms. Gulanor Atobek, CEO of Alif Bank; Abdulkosim Valiev, CEO of Somon Air, the country’s national air carrier and official carrier of the President of Tajikistan; and Nilufar Bulbulshoeva, the Executive Director of the Tajikistan U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“Our collaboration with Samson Sky reflects a shared vision of expanding general aviation, improving regional connectivity, and opening new opportunities for tourism and technological innovation,” said Bahodurov. “I believe this partnership will help position Tajikistan as an emerging participant in the global ecosystem of advanced air mobility.”
Samson Sky’s flying car, the Switchblade, is seen as a valuable resource to increase travel in a country which is covered nearly 50% by the world’s second highest mountain range. Tajikistan’s magnificent mountain ranges provide significant travel barriers but also opportunities for Adventure Tourism.
“Central Asia is considered as an up-and-coming region of the world, and Samson is proud to be part of the advancements being made in Tajikistan,” stated Bousfield. As covered in international news, in November 2025, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon visited with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., where they discussed the numerous untapped opportunities and resources for strengthening and expanding trade and economic ties between the two countries, including the sectors of energy, transport, science and modern technologies.
The MOU involves Samson Sky providing assistance to Tajikistan’s government to improve General Aviation legislation, enabling Switchblade Flying Cars to be registered and used in the country, and facilitating the sale of 50 Switchblades, valued at $11.5MM USD. It also includes Samson establishing pilot training programs, providing access to their advanced flight simulators, training mechanics to handle any required maintenance of the Switchblade, and supplying replacement vehicle parts.
This latest deal adds to earlier completed agreements in Central Asia and the Middle East, all with the goal to use the Switchblade Flying Car to boost private aviation and enhance tourism. Anna V. Grebenshchikova, former aerobatic pilot, Ambassador for Samson Sky and recent nominee for the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence 2026 by the American Multi Ethnic Commission, was instrumental in bringing these agreements about through her marketing initiatives and international connections. “It started with an idea I had in 2024 to develop private aviation in Central Asia,” said Anna. She also spearheaded an MOU with the Saudi Aviation Club, which is the official representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), and a broad-reaching MOU with AIR Tashkent of Uzbekistan, a neighboring country of Tajikistan.
Bousfield further stated, “With more deals in the works, Samson Sky is building a network to support the roll out of the Switchblade Flying Car worldwide, including establishing international service centers in the same fashion that Cessna did when they originally introduced their business jets.”
Switchblade Flying Car (rendering)— The Switchblade is a highway-capable, hybrid electric vehicle that is high-performance both on the road and in the air. You park the Switchblade in your garage and drive it from there to a nearby airport. You fly to the airport nearest your destination, then simply land, transform back to driving mode – the wings and tail fully enclosed and protected – and drive the last few miles to your destination.
The Switchblade Flying Car, which had its successful official First Flight in Nov. 2023 is a hybrid electric vehicle with sports car performance, accelerating from 0–60 mph/97 km/h in 5 seconds with a top ground speed of 125 mph/201 km/h and a 160 mph/257 km/h cruise speed. It has room for two people and travel bags. Using premium auto gas, it flies up to 500 miles/805 km at 13,000 on a single tank. For safety and insurance, all flying surfaces are enclosed within the vehicle while in driving mode. The Switchblade fits a standard garage and is driven to a nearby airport using highways or local roads. There, it transforms from driving to flying mode in three minutes at the push of a button.
For more information on about the Switchblade and to follow its progress into production, visit:
Media Contact:
Gail Gallegos
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Additonal Hi-Res images available by request
Last modified: March 26, 2026
