Kovacs Racer I

Racer I
Kovacs
Budapest, Hungary
www.behance.net/roobi

Robert Kovacs is an industrial, automotive and aeronautical designer based in Hungary. He is a prolific designer making futuristic concept consumer products, automobiles, motorcycles and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. His online portfolio features the eVTOL multicopter prototype, LIFT.

Racer I is a futuristic concept design Urban Air Mobility (UAM) motorcycle-styled hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) one passenger aircraft. The design of the craft suggests that it was intended for high speed travel. When battery technology develops to have a higher high energy density, the craft would most likely be converted into an eVTOL aircraft as the cost of using electric power is half that of fuel. Saving half the cost of energy to fly an aircraft would be worth the cost of converting any hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft into an eVTOL aircraft. 

The pilot of the craft sits in an open cockpit protected by a small windscreen. Motorcycle-styled handle bars are used to control the direction of the aircraft. The fuselage is completely streamlined and the power source cannot been seen because there are no openings in the body of the fuselage. There are four ducted fans that are quite large which would be needed to develop the thrust for high performance racing aircraft. It also looks like there are two vertical stabilizers for yaw control. 

Kovacs has not provided an estimated cruising speed, flight range, or method of landing for the Racer I hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. From looking at the drawing, it looks like Racer I had retractable landing legs. Installing retractable legs would provide a more aerodynamic body during flight, would keep weight down to a minimum and the pilot could easily land the aircraft where they wanted due to its ability to takeoff and land vertically. 

If this aircraft came into production and was aerodynamically sound, it would probably be a favorite among young racing enthusiasts and others who want to travel in any urban environment in a sporty VTOL aircraft.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft and a possible future eVTOL aircraft 
• Piloting: 1 pilot 
• Capacity: Approximately 113 kg (250 lbs)
• Cockpit: Open cockpit
• Cruising speed: Unknown
• Range: Unknown
• Ducted fans: 4
• Electric Motors: 4
• Landing gear: Unknown; however, most likely retractable landing legs 
• Safety Features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft. 

Resources:

• Robert Kovacs website  
• Robert Kovacs  YouTube Channel 
• Robert Kovacs Instagram 
• Robert Kovacs Tumbler 
• Robert Kovacs Pinterest  
• Robert Kovacs LinkedIn  
• Kovacs Racing aircraft 
• Kovacs Racer I graphic    
• Video: Bugatti Drone Concept, Robert Kovacs, Apr. 11, 2018