A viral video of a California man “racing” a Lamborghini on a public road has drawn federal scrutiny. The man’s high-flying joyride put him in the spotlight, though not in the way he might have hoped. Hunter Kowald, the inventor of the rideable flying drone he calls the Sky Surfer, was reported to authorities after onlookers saw him “racing” a Lamborghini on a public road in California.
A New Kind of Vehicle Takes Center Stage
The Sky Surfer aircraft, Kowald’s invention, is a far cry from drones used for photography and deliveries. It’s more advanced in that a pilot can stand on it while flying, and the six-propeller craft allows the rider to “surf” through the air, offering a glimpse of a futuristic mode of transportation.
Kowald demonstrated the aircraft’s capability by “racing” a Lamborghini on a public road, where the car was limited to a posted 55 mph. Even so, the unconventional spectacle caught onlookers’ attention.
Federal Rules for “Ultralight” Vehicles
The Sky Surfer flight drew the attention of federal authorities and prompted concerned citizens to call police.
Officers ultimately allowed Kowald to continue as long as he wasn’t blocking the road. Kowald said his flying drone is considered an “ultralight vehicle” and is legal to operate, but that classification comes with strict rules.
Kowald had to go through a thorough process to ensure his license and vehicle complied with federal rules and regulations. An ultralight must be used for sport or recreation, meet specific weight and speed limits, carry only a single occupant, and follow operational rules such as not flying over congested areas.
High-Tech Flying Drones Signal a Shift from Road Speed to Sky Mobility
Kowald’s Sky Surfer is part of a growing market for personal hovercraft and flying vehicles. While the Sky Surfer is a relatively affordable option, it’s estimated at about $78,000. Other models are significantly more expensive—for instance, a Star Wars–inspired speeder bike from Volonaut is rumored to be roughly eleven times higher, at $880,000.
These high-tech gadgets are bringing science fiction concepts closer to reality. Although not yet mainstream, these hobby vehicles suggest that the future of transportation may involve taking to the skies.
By pitting his creation against a car, Kowald showed that the next frontier isn’t about faster cars but about smarter, more versatile vehicles that can operate in new dimensions.
Conclusion
The Sky Surfer—despite its current limitations and the regulatory hurdles it faces—offers a tantalizing vision of a world where personal flight is real. The race did not produce a definitive winner, but it proved that the era of personal flight has truly begun, and the sky is not the limit.