French inventor flies across English Channel on jet

2025-04-27 14:35:33admin

French inventor Franky Zapata has officially crossed the English Channel by hoverboard.

On Aug. 4, weeks after a failed Bastille Day flight, Zapata hopped on the jet-powered hoverboard that he invented, called the "Flyboard Air," and set out to fly across the 35-kilometer channel. This time, he was successful.

SEE ALSO: Check out this ridiculous flying jet board from France's Bastille Day parade

Zapata's board is propelled by five small jet engines, and after he stopped halfway to refuel his board on a boat, Reuters reports that he was able to cross the Channel and land in a little more than 20 minutes.

French news outlet Le Monde shared a two-minute video of Zapata taking off and flying through the air past onlookers and over the water.

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During his Aug. 4 flight, Zapata is said to have traveled 35 kilometers. He took off in Sangatte, France, and landed in Saint Margaret’s Bay in Dover, England.

"For the last five to six kilometers I just really enjoyed it," Zapata told reporters when he landed. "Whether this is a historic event or not, I’m not the one to decide that, time will tell.

"We made a machine three years ago... and now we’ve crossed the Channel, it’s crazy," Zapata, who is also working on creating a flying car, said.

The jet-powered hover-board used by French inventor Franky Zapata to cross the English Channel to Dover. Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images Mashable Image

Franky Zapata stands on his jet-powered "flyboard" after he took off from Sangatte, northern France. Credit: DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images Mashable Image