Inventor to cross English Channel on jet-powered hoverboard

Zapata CEO Franky Zapata flies a jet-powered hoverboard or “Flyboard” during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue Avenue on July 14, 2019 in Paris, France. (Getty Images)

The “flying soldier” told the French news outlet that he’d gotten approval from civil aviation authorities but not maritime officials, who said that stationing a ship to refuel the flyboard would pose a risk in the busy shipping corridor.

“We have advised against the crossing because it is extremely dangerous given the traffic in the Channel, one of the busiest (shipping) straits in the world,” the French maritime authority reportedly said.

“This has made the challenge 10 times more difficult,” Zapata said, adding that he will refuel once midway instead of twice as he had planned. “It’s a completely arbitrary and unreasonable decision.”

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Zapata CEO Franky Zapata flies a jet-powered hoverboard or “Flyboard” as French elite acrobatic flying team “Patrouille de France” flies over the Arc de Triomphe during the Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on July 14, 2019. (Getty Images)

During the Bastille Day celebration, French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Angela Merkel and other leaders watched as Zapata flew high above the crowd brandishing a rifle.

According to The Guardian, Zapata’s flyboard is powered by five mini turbo engines and can reach speeds of up to 118 miles per hour.

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