zapata's flyboard air claims to be the safest, most maneuverable personal aviation system

frank zapata, a former jet ski champion and french inventor, has accomplished what many of us just dream of — flying. the feat was achieved thanks to his own invention, the flyboard air, a type of jetpack that is powered by gas turbines marketed under zapata’s own company, zapata racing.

founded by frank zapata, zapata is a company that specializes in the development and manufacture of hydro-propelled technologies and devices or powered air products. the flyboard air, in particular, can fly up to an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), has a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph), 10 minutes endurance and a load capacity of 102 kg (225 lb). it’s said to be the safest, easiest, lightest, most maneuverable personal aviation system ever created.

images courtesy of flyboard air

as with any hoverboard, the flyboard air has been designed to be piloted with little training — having good body balance is what helps control it. in terms of safety, if a turbine fails, one can still keep you flying. if both of them break, the device is able to achieve a controlled descent while the pilot is able to access information on altitude, speed and autonomy levels on his helmet.

currently, zapata’s flyboard air is thought for three fields: the military, industrial and entertainment industries. for the military, the inventor sees uses like the evacuation or rescue of people; in the industrial you could find, for example, the repair of structures or distribution of products; the entertainment industry could use it for TV or even experience-based brand activations. and although the device is still under work, zapata hopes it will enter commercial production soon.