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Franky ZapataFrench water transport pilot, inventor of the water flyboard and the jet flyboard
Date of Birth: 27.09.1978
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Zapata Racing and Invention of the Flyboard
- The Hoverboard and Air Regulations
- Cross-Channel Flight and Beyond
- Future Developments and Military Applications
- Personal Life
Early Life and Career
Frankie Zapata was born in Marseille, France on September 27, 1978. His passion for water sports began at the young age of 16 when he started riding jet skis. He excelled in the sport, winning several European competitions and two world championship titles.
Zapata Racing and Invention of the Flyboard
After completing his education as a mechanic, Zapata co-founded Zapata Racing with his father Claude in 1998. The company specialized in creating products related to jet skiing. With a budget of only €20,000, Zapata embarked on the development of the Flyboard, a revolutionary "flying board." Through multiple prototypes, he stabilized the device, eventually patenting it and unveiling it at the World Championship in China. The first footage of the Flyboard in action went viral on YouTube, garnering over 2.5 million views in just 15 days.
The Hoverboard and Air Regulations
In 2016, Zapata sold Zapata Racing to defense contractor Implant Sciences. A year later, he unveiled the Hoverboard, a hybrid device resembling a surfboard and skateboard powered by four turbojet engines equipped with stabilizers. The Hoverboard allowed pilots to reach speeds of approximately 140 km/h and fly for up to 10 minutes. However, the device's autonomous flight capabilities and potential airspace violations initially raised legal concerns, threatening the future of the "flying board." Through negotiations with authorities, including the military, these issues were resolved.
Cross-Channel Flight and Beyond
On July 14, 2019, Zapata participated in the Bastille Day military parade on a "jet-powered hoverboard" featuring five turbines and fueled by kerosene. Three weeks later, the same device would propel him across the English Channel. After an unsuccessful attempt on July 25, Zapata successfully flew the 35 km journey on August 4, 2019, accompanied by French military helicopters and equipped with an additional fuel tank. He reached speeds of 180 km/h and maintained an altitude of approximately 15 meters. The journey began in Sangatte, France, and ended with a landing near St. Margarets Bay, UK.
Future Developments and Military Applications
Today, Flyboards are being explored for recreational, entertainment, military, medical, and industrial applications. Zapata's company, Z-AIR, received a €1.3 million grant from the French military in 2018. However, Flyboards are still unsuitable for military operations due to noise and handling challenges. In August 2019, Zapata announced that he was working on a "flying car" that he planned to unveil later that year.
