Franky Zapata Breaks World Record for Farthest Hoverboard Flight
Arthur Dominic Villasanta | | May 02, 2016 09:51 AM EDT |
(Photo : Zapata Racing) Franky Zapata flies on his jet powered Flyboard Air
Frenchman Franky Zapata, a champion jetskier and inventor, flew his jet-powered hoverboard named Flyboard Air for some 2,252 meters (7,388) feet) to set a new world record for distance. The record was confirmed by Guinness.
He broke the old record of just 275.9 meters (905 feet, 2 inches) set by Canadian inventor Catalin Alexandru Duru in 2015.
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Goodbye, jet pack. Hello, jet hoverboard.
Zapata's breathtaking and record setting feat of solo flight off the coast of Sausset-les-Pins in southern France was recorded on video. You can see it on YouTube.
"This has really been a life's work," Zapata said after his flight.
"It's an amazing sensation, it's really peaceful," he said. "I open my arms because it helps me control my movements, but when you open your hands and you feel the wind go through your hand and you have nothing under your feet - it's hard to describe, really. You have to experience this moment in your life."
Next after this incredible adventure is to make the Flyboard Air smaller and more consumer friendly, said Zapata. He also intends to have pilots of his future hoverboards sit down. Zapata stood up for the entire duration of his flight that took him 100 feet above the water.
He said his Flyboard Air uses what he describes as an "Independent Propulsion Unit." This unit consists of four 250 horsepower turbo engines fueled by Jet A1 kerosene, the same fuel used in jetliner engines. Zapata carried the highly inflammable fuel in a tank strapped to his back.
It's a problem Zapata has to address in the consumer version of his Flyboard Air. There are two other engines on each side of the machine used to stabilize the board in flight.
Zapata Racing, the company Zapata founded to promote and build his flying machines, said the Flyboard Air can reach a maximum height of 10,000 feet and speed up to a maximum of 150 kilometers per hour.
TagsFranky Zapata, jet-powered hoverboard, Flyboard Air, Sausset-les-Pins, Zapata Racing
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