FRENCH FLIES
French inventor Franky Zapata is first person in history to cross English Channel on jet-powered hoverboard not much bigger than a tea tray
FLYING Frenchman Franky Zapata today became the first person in history to cross the English Channel on a jet-powered hoverboard – saying it “feels magnificent”.
The 40-year-old set off towards the White Cliffs of Dover from Sangatte beach, in Calais, at 7.16am UK time in front of a cheering crowd.
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Within seconds he was soaring through the skies looking just like a high-tech version of Marty McFly, the character played by Michael J. Fox in the Back to the Future films.
There were shouts of “Allez le Flying Frenchman” and “Go Franky, go”,including from Mr Zapata’s wife, Kystal.
And at 7.39am – 23 minutes later – the triumphant Mr Zapata landed at St Margaret’s Bay in Kent on the kerosene-powered board, saying: “Frankly, this feels magnificent”.
The army reservist and former Jet ski champion lifted an arm in the air in triumph, shed a tear, and savoured his incredible success.
He told waiting reporters: “There were no problems this time.
“I’m tired – I’m not on holiday, but I’m elated. Thanks so much my team, and to my wife.”
POWERED BY FIVE TURBOJET ENGINES
Ms Zapata had been left hugely disappointed on July 25 when he failed in his first attempt to complete the same 22.4 mile journey.
Then, he had crashed off a refuelling boat 12 miles into the trip, but this time a larger vessel was used.
The self-styled “Flying Frenchman” travelled at speeds of up to 87mph, staying at least 49 feet above the water.
Temperatures were above 25C on Sunday, the sun was shining brightly, and there was next to no wind or waves.
The state-of-the-art device, which was built from scratch, resembled a souped-up tea tray and could reach an altitude of 10,000 feet. It was powered by five turbojet engines.
Mr Zapata wore a flying suit inspired by the lead character in the superhero movie Iron Man.
There was a maximum of 42 litres in Mr Zapata’s backpack, meaning he once again had to refuel half way across the Channel.
This meant landing on a boat, and swapping backpacks during a stop of no more than two minutes.
Before setting off her said he had a 50 per cent chance of success but had "absolute confidence in the technology".
The Flyboard Air hoverboard – key stats
Here are the numbers you need to know...
- Top speed: 118mph
- Top altitude: 10,000ft
- Max flight time: 10 minutes
- Powered by: Five mini turbo engines
- Longest non-stop flight: 1.4 miles
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Mr Zapata added: “We created a new way of flying. We don't use wings. You are like a bird, it is your body that is flying. It is a boyhood dream.
“We want to follow a little bit in the footsteps of the pioneers of aviation.”
Now he hopes his device will one day enter commercial production, as a revolutionary piece of military hardware.
Last month, the board impressed crowds at France's annual July 14 Bastille Day Parade, where Mr Zapata zoomed through the air 50ft above Paris's Place de la Concorde dressed as a soldier and brandishing a rifle.
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