Man flies from France to England on a hoverboard
French innovator Franky Zapata has flown across the English Channel on a jet-powered hoverboard. This is the first time that this feat has been accomplished and comes after a failed attempt in July.
Zapata departed from Sangatte, northern France during the early hours of Sunday morning and landed in St. Margarets Bay in England just 20 minutes later, according to Reuters news agency. The hoverboard can reach an altitude of 152 metres and a speed of 140 km/h.
Light winds below 10 km/h were at his back during his journey and the overall clear conditions allowed for a smooth flight.
During Zapata's failed attempt in July, he missed a refuelling platform and fell into the sea. The 40-year-old was uninjured and spent between 15 to 16 hours a day rebuilding the hovercraft.
Zapata has worked with both French and US militaries and received a 1.3 million euro grant from the French army in 2018 to help finance the development of the hoverboard technology. Reuters reports that Zapata says he is working on designing a flying car.
The hoverboard crossing is the latest innovative method that has been used to cross the English Channel. Other notable technologies that have made the journey between the two countries include a hot air balloon, gondola, glider, and parachute.