Flyboard Air (the flying platform)

2019

Unsuccessful attempt to fly over the English Channel

On July 25, 2019 the French inventor of Frankie Zapat made unsuccessful attempt to fly over the English Channel on a reactive board of Flyboard Air. the 40-year-old former champion on a water ski was going to cross the passage — distance in 35 km — in 20 minutes, but fell in water halfway.

Zapata took off from the French city of Calais in the morning, on July 25, and went to Saint Margaret's bay in the British Dover. The crowd of people gathered on the beach from where the entrepreneur started. It was gone by the helicopter for secure.

The person on a reactive board departed through the English Channel and fell in water

In flight on Flyboard Air of Frankie Zapat wanted expected to support average speed in 140 km/h and to move at the height of 15-20 meters over water.

The inventor hoped to fly by without recharge of a hoverbord, however it was not without it — it was required approximately in eight minutes after departure from the French coast. Trying to land on the vessel, Zapata was mistaken on several centimeters and fell in water. The pilot did not suffer, but very much was upset because of failure.

Zapata team member in a conversation of BFM TV called the incident "huge disappointment" as, according to him, landing tens of times was perfected in the conditions of strong waves. Zapata warned that wind can "complicate" flight through the passage.

Afterwards in a conversation with Frankie Zapat's journalists was recognized that estimated chances of success of the invention in 30%. The athlete is ready to make new attempt to fly over the English Channel on the aircraft with jet engines.

We created new type of flight. We do not use wings. It is similar to a bird, the body is in flight. It is a childhood dream — reported Frankie Zapat before attempt to fly over the English Channel on Flyboard Air.

The thrill-seeker wanted to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the first flight through the English Channel made  by the pilot Louis Blerio  on July 25, 1909.^[1]

Demonstration on a parade in France

On a military parade in France in honor of taking of the Bastille which was held on July 14, 2019 the flying Flyboard Air platform developed by Zapata company of the inventor and the entrepreneur Franky Zapata was submitted.

The device is capable to gather speed to 200 km/h, to rise by height up to 3 km, to fly without stopping for 30 minutes and to transport the person together with a load with a lump of 200 kg.

The flying board for soldiers of the future is provided

However, at the time of public demonstration of Flyboard Air maximum speed is limited to 140 km/h, rise height — 150 meters, flight time — 6 minutes, loading capacity — 100 kg.

The flying device in operation in Paris showed itself Frankie Zapat. It flew over the Champs Elysée on the flyboard with the turbine engine before the president Emmanuel Macron and other leaders of the EU. The pilot held a rifle in hand, pointing to a possibility of use of technology in the military purposes.

The Minister of Defence of France Florans Parli reported that the device can be used for different tasks, including logistic or as the platform for the organization of attack.

The president of France Emmanuel Macron was satisfied with representation. Sitting on a tribune, the leader of the country approvingly nodded.

The provided version of the flying platform still needs improvement, in particular in terms of increase in stability and mobility. As recognized itself Zapat, flight on the platform demands from the operator of the considerable physical efforts necessary for preserving of balance.

It is known that the Zapata company cooperates with U.S. Army, holding testing of different versions. And the developer spoke about prospects and need of the flying board for military conditions more than once. So, through Flyboard Air fighters will be able quickly to move over the battlefield or beyond its limits.^[2]

Notes