Bringing the Switchblade closer to production, Samson Sky engages Italian automotive designer Luigi Memola, Founder of EPTA Design, to elevate its interior design

Prineville, Oregon

Samson Sky, makers of the Switchblade Flying Car, has engaged famed Italian automotive designer Luigi Memola to create the interiors of the driving and flying vehicle. Memola is Founder and Head of Design at EPTA Design, whose team has gained global recognition for their designs with such auto makers as Alfa Romeo and Automobili Estrema.

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.

“Working with someone of Luigi Memola’s caliber has given us an even higher level of inspiration,” said Sam Bousfield, Founder and CEO Samson Sky. “He is bringing out the essence of this vehicle and establishing visual DNA.”

Having recently secured an $80 million investment for its first U.S. production facility, Samson Sky officials state that interior design work has now begun on the flying and driving vehicle. The Switchblade has gathered nearly 3,000 orders from over 50 countries worldwide, including all 50 U.S. states. EPTA’s design team has been tasked with producing interiors that can be used in either right- or left-hand drive countries. Company officials emphasized that they are adding this level of luxury while still maintaining the affordability of their flying sports car.

“The Switchblade represents a genuine leap forward in personal transportation—a convergence of automotive freedom and aviation performance. Collaborating with Sam and the Samson Sky team is a thrilling challenge,” said Memola. “Combining high-performance design with dual-use engineering requires pushing traditional boundaries to define a truly new class of vehicle. We are excited to contribute our vision to a project that is actively shaping the future of mobility.”

Blending the demands for both flying and driving in this unique vehicle is a joint development of Samson and EPTA, with Samson providing the control and gauge requirements, and EPTA bringing an aesthetic feel that functions exactly as intended. Memola and team are designing the elegant shape of the dash and its elements, the center console, seats and all the trims and detailing. Samson will provide an instrument display that automatically shifts between driving mode and flying mode, to show the operator exactly what they need to reference.

“As an interesting backstory, we are now coming full circle with Italian design elements,” said Bousfield. “Back in the early stages of the Switchblade, I took my first design cues from Italian sports car designs.”

Luigi Memola is an Italian automotive and transportation designer with over two decades of professional experience. For the past decade, he has served as Founder and Head of Design at EPTA Design, a Torino, Italy-based design consultancy focused on high-performance supercars, special vehicles, advanced product design, and concept development for the entertainment and automotive sectors.

Beyond his design practice, Luigi has taught at prestigious design universities in both Italy and Singapore, hosting specialized masterclasses and seminars for students and professionals to share his signature design workflows. An avid kitesurfer and skydiver with a lifelong passion for speed and aviation, his personal connection to flight uniquely informs his design philosophy for next-generation mobility.

About Samson Sky

With seating for two plus luggage, the Switchblade Flying Car is a hybrid-electric driving and flying vehicle with sports car performance on the ground and high performance in the air. It runs on premium auto gas, fits in a standard garage and is driven to a nearby airport using highways or local roads. Samson Sky has designed, built, and tested the industry-leading Switchblade to solve the problems of Regional Travel (200-500 miles). For safety and insurability, all flying surfaces are enclosed within the vehicle while in driving mode. The Switchblade transforms from driving to flying mode in three minutes at the push of a button. The Switchblade Flying Car had its successful official First Flight in November 2023. Samson Sky is now bringing their world-class vehicle into production to satisfy the global demand.

For more information about the Switchblade and to follow its progress into production, visit: www.SamsonSky.com

Additional Hi-Res images available by request

Media Contact Details
Gail Gallegos
Samson Sky
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Phone: 916-769-6979
Website: www.SamsonSky.com

The forthcoming handbook offers clear examples and realistic practice for pre-license students, instructors, and working brokers.

Durant, Oklahoma

Blue Crown Books announces the forthcoming release of NC Real Estate Math by educator Doug Sinclair, a practical handbook designed to help readers understand the calculations used in North Carolina real estate education, licensing preparation, and everyday transactions.

The book begins with a straightforward idea: many real estate math difficulties come from misunderstanding what a question is asking. Readers are encouraged to slow down, identify the requested result, organize the useful facts, and write each step.

Topics include area and lot size, commissions, transfer fees, seller net calculations, taxation, conventional loan qualification, loan costs, interim interest, and proportions involving taxes, home owners’ association dues, and rent.

Davies and Sinclair first developed a separate real estate math workbook after hearing students ask for focused help. They printed two hundred copies and brought them to an educators’ conference in Wilmington in 2017, where every copy was taken. Their examples were later incorporated into broader instructional material, but students continued requesting a portable publication devoted specifically to math.

The new handbook has been reformatted to be easier to carry and use. Student review helped the authors confirm that the examples were understandable and the problems could be solved as written. Sinclair also draws on years of teaching college mathematics and his belief that math can be made less daunting when the process is clear.

The publication is intended for North Carolina pre-license students, real estate instructors, new brokers, and professionals who want a convenient review of common calculations. It also addresses practical testing habits, including careful reading and familiarity with a simple calculator rather than a phone or programmable device.

The official publication date, pricing, and availability for NC Real Estate Math will be announced separately by Blue Crown Books.

About the Authors

Doug Sinclair is a real estate educator and original author of a pre-license math workbook created in response to student demand. Sinclair also taught college mathematics for many years.

Author Name: Doug Sinclair Book Title: NC Real Estate Published By: Blue Crown Books

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Doug Sinclair
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VAUGHAN, ON

The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) Toronto Chapter hosted its 74th President’s Gala on Friday, October 2, 2026, bringing together a sold-out event of approximately 900 guests at the Venu Event Space. The event celebrated achievement within the Canadian-Italian business community while raising funds for local community and educational initiatives.

The milestone evening was made possible thanks to Deloitte; CIBC; Fengate; Masters Insurance; Cristina Ciccolini Memorial Fund; Zanchin Automotive Group; Fero International; Choice Properties; UniversalCare; Montecassino; Lavazza; Cadillac Fairview; Ital Florist; Decor-Rest; DOLCE Magazine; City Life and TLN Media Group.

Led by CIBPA Toronto President Sabrina Marrelli and Honorary Co-Chairs Andria Zanchin and Laura Zanchin, the evening honoured the recipients of the 2026 CIBPA Awards of Excellence. Immediate Past President Tony Cocuzzo served as Master of Ceremonies.

“The 74th President’s Gala is a profound testament to the enduring impact of the Canadian-Italian community,” said Marrelli.“Tonight, we do more than celebrate corporate and professional excellence — we honour a legacy of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community-building that defines our heritage. Seeing our community come together reinforces our commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through the CIBPA Education Foundation.”

The highlight was the 2026 CIBPA President’s Award to Anthony Staffieri, President and CEO of Rogers Communications, recognizing his corporate and community impact across Canada.

The Awards of Excellence recipients include Sam Ciccolini (Lifetime Contribution Award), Michela Di Mondo (Woman of the Year Award), Jennifer Quaglietta (Professional Excellence Award), Ester Paris Mauro and Italo Paris (Business Excellence Award), Paul Golini (Community Leader Award) and Kira Serafini (NextGen Award).

The gala welcomed His Excellency Alessandro Cattaneo, Ambassador of Italy to Canada; The Honourable Justice Giuseppina D’Agostino, Judge of the Federal Court; The Honourable Justice Frank Iacobucci, Former Supreme Court Justice; The Honourable Stephen Lecce, MPP, Ontario Cabinet Minister; The Honourable Toni Varone, Senator; and Robert Allegrini, President & CEO of the National Italian American Foundation.

Proceeds will support the CIBPA Education Foundation — celebrating its 50th anniversary — and CIBPA Place for adults living with dementia.

Watch the Gala Highlights

To learn more about the evening’s celebrations, click here: CIBPA TORONTO 2026 update – Frame.io

About CIBPA Toronto:

Founded in 1952, the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) Toronto Chapter represents Italian Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area, fostering networks and charitable initiatives.

Media Contact Details
Isha Sharma
Dolce Media Group
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Phone: 905.264.6789
Website: dolcemedia.ca