Flyboard

A Flyboard is a brand of hydroflighting device which supplies propulsion to drive the Flyboard into the air to perform a sport known as hydroflying.[1]

This article is about the hydrojet hoverboard. For the gas turbines hoverboard, see Flyboard Air.
Flyboarding in Merritt Island, Florida
Athlete Oliver Winger Flyboarding in Grand Rapids, Michigan

A Flyboard rider stands on a board connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Water is forced under pressure to a pair of boots with jet nozzles underneath which provide thrust for the rider to fly up to 22 m (72 ft) in the air or to dive headlong through the water down as far as one is willing to go.[2]

History

The Flyboard was invented in Autumn 2012 by a French water-craft rider, Franky Zapata.[2][3] The design allows the device to climb out of the water and be stable in the air. This was achieved by the underfoot propulsion and hand stabilization.[3] The French Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI) granted Zapata a patent for his invention.[3] The Flyboard was the subject of a lawsuit from competitor Jetlev which was dropped without prejudice in March 2013.[4] The device was presented to the public for the first time at the jet ski World Championship 2012 in China.[3] Since its introduction in 2012 the Flyboard has sold around 2500 units.

In the 2015 season of America's Got Talent, a flyboard enthusiast named Damone Rippy performed Flyboarding as his act on the show.

In 2014 the first dual flight of a pilot with both a Jetlev Jetpack and Flyboard occurred in Sydney Australia at the Jetpack adventures facility by pilot Brad Hudson.[5]

In 2016, Franky Zapata sold Zapata Racing (ZR) to U.S. defense contractor Implant Sciences.[6]

Zapata has also invented an independently jet-powered Flyboard (Flyboard Air), powered by five turbines and fueled by kerosene.[7] He piloted the "jet-powered hoverboard" over crowds at the 2019 Bastille Day military celebrations in Paris.[8] On 4 August 2019, Zapata was able to successfully fly over the English Channel after a failed attempt on 25 July.

During this flight, using a backpack fuel reservoir, he accomplished the 35-kilometre (22 mi) journey in about 20 minutes, including a fueling stop. Zapata reached a speed of 180 km/h (110 mph) and maintained an altitude of approximately 15 meters (49 feet).[9][10]

Zapata's company, Z-AIR, had received a €1.3m grant from the French military in December 2018.[11] However, he has said that the flyboard was not yet suitable for military use due to the noise it creates and the challenge of learning how to fly the device.[12] In a France Inter radio interview, France's Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly said the flyboard might eventually be suitable, "for example as a flying logistical platform or, indeed, as an assault platform".[13]

In 2017, Zapata had provided the U.S. Army with demonstrations of the Flyboard Air (jet-powered hoverboard) referred to as the EZ-Fly in some news reports, which suggested the price per unit might be $250,000.[14] A July 2019 report provided no indication of any serious interest by the American military as of that time for this new technology.[6]

Technical information
Flyboard practice

The Flyboard is a bolt-on device that is attached to a personal water craft (PWC). It is designed so that the PWC follows behind the rider’s trail, allowing the rider multiple degrees of freedom, even allowing the rider to go underwater if they desire. The pilot on the Flyboard is secured in by bindings similar to a wakeboard and the rider is propelled from water jets below the device. The Flyboard is buoyant for safety, which also allows the rider to rest in the water between rides.[15] The use of a personal flotation device and helmet is required by rental locations for safety purposes to protect against serious head trauma in the event of the rider impacting the PWC or stationary structures, and to protect the ears from damage and discomfort from impacts with the water.[16][17]

Device power is controlled by a throttle on the PWC. The equipment may be used in two modes: The primary one requires two people, one to control the PWC throttle which regulates the power and height of the rider. The secondary mode relies on an accessory called an Electronic Management Kit (EMK) which allows the rider to control the PWC throttle.[18]

Competitions

Flyboarding championships have graced various stunning locations across the world, captivating participants and spectators with incredible displays of skill and artistry. Here are some notable locations and the corresponding years when flyboarding championships took place:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2012): Dubai, renowned for its extravagant events, hosted one of the earliest flyboarding championships in 2012. Against the backdrop of its iconic skyline and pristine beaches, participants showcased their gravity-defying talents.

Qatar (2013): In 2013, Qatar's inviting coastline became the setting for another thrilling flyboarding championship. The country's commitment to sporting excellence provided participants with a perfect stage to demonstrate their skills.

France (2014): As the birthplace of flyboarding, France held a significant championship in 2014. The sport's origin on the French Riviera made this competition a particularly special event.

Spain (2015): Spain, with its azure waters and vibrant coastal cities, hosted a flyboarding championship in 2015. The Mediterranean Sea provided a stunning backdrop for participants to showcase their prowess.

United States (2016): The United States, known for its passion for adventure sports, hosted a flyboarding championship in 2016. Coastal states like Florida and California provided dynamic venues for the event.

Thailand (2017): In 2017, Thailand's tropical beauty and warm climate welcomed a flyboarding championship. Its crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches added to the allure of the event.

Russia (2018): Russia, with its vast lakes and water bodies, saw a flyboarding championship in 2018. The country's commitment to showcasing innovative sports made it a natural host.

Malaysia (2019): Malaysia's picturesque landscapes and inviting waters hosted a flyboarding championship in 2019. Its tropical paradise setting created a unique and memorable experience.

Australia (2020): Australia, renowned for its adventure-loving culture, was the stage for a flyboarding championship in 2020. The country's diverse coastal locations provided stunning venues for the event.

Portugal (2021): Portugal's coastal charm and Atlantic waves made it a fitting host for a flyboarding championship in 2021. The competition showcased the sport against the backdrop of Portugal's natural beauty.

Movies

For the first time, a Flyboard stunt was done in a Bollywood film by Hrithik Roshan in the film Bang Bang!.[19]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flyboards.

References
  1. Examples: Flyboard Ultimate Supercut Power Board Expert.
  2. Zapata's outrageous, US$6,600 Flyboard - Aquaman meets Iron Man, gizmag.com. Retrieved: 13 August 2013.
  3. History Archived August 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, zapata-racing.com. Retrieved: 13 August 2013.
  4. "Li et. al. v. Flyboard, Inc. et. al". PriorSmart. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  5. "World Record Flyboard Jetpack dual flight - World 1st - 1 pilot - 2 jetskis" – via www.youtube.com.
  6. "The National Interest: Blog". The National Interest.
  7. "Flying Frenchman Franky Zapata completes jet-powered hoverboard Channel crossing". ITV News. 4 August 2019.
  8. "French sci-fi team called on to predict future threats". BBC News. 19 July 2019.
  9. "Franky Zapata crosses Channel by hoverboard at second attempt". The Guardian. 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  10. "Franky Zapata: French inventor successfully crosses Channel by hoverboard". The Independent. 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  11. "French 'Flying Man' Franky Zapata Crosses the English Channel on Jet-Powered Hoverboard". News 18. 4 August 2019.
  12. "Franky Zapata crosses Channel by hoverboard at second attempt". The Guardian. 4 August 2019.
  13. "Franky Zapata: Flyboarding Frenchman crosses English Channel". BBC News. 4 August 2019.
  14. Trevithick, Joseph (26 September 2018). "One Company Thinks Flying Platforms Have Finally Come Of Age, But Will The Military Hop On Board?". The Drive.
  15. Explications Techniques, zapata-racing.com. Retrieved: 10 December 2013.
  16. "FAQ". California Flyboard. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
  17. "Zapata Racing & the Flyboard". H2RO Magazine.
  18. "Flyboard Pros Talk Electronic Management Kit". H2RO Magazine.
  19. "Hrithik beats Hollywood heroes in doing daring stunts". dna.
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