Flyboard Air - a flying jet board is already real and is on sale to everyone

Flying on jet boards until recently seemed to be inventions of science fiction writers. But that's often how technology works. First they come up with fairy tales, stories and novels. They are listened to or read, admiring fictional characters, adventures and fantastic technology.


And there are those who want to make a fairy tale come true. It was these people who invented the boat, the wheel, and then cars with airplanes. So it is with jet boards, often found in fantasy novels. While some dreamed, others tried to make them.

Who is Frankie Zapata?

One day, a French athlete, a champion, by the way, in jet skiing, whatever that means, racing or virtuoso driving, decided to come up with something special. As a person who knows everything about jet skis and independently modifies them, Zapata made the invention based on this technique.


Dreaming of flying skateboards, the Frenchman unexpectedly invented the Flyboard, an interesting water-powered model. She debuted in 2012 and was able to lift a person to a height of up to 15 meters.

Of course, Flyboard has become an interesting entertainment attraction, but it has a number of limitations:

✅ Need a jet ski to pump water
✅ Pilot tied to the hose
✅ You can only fly over the surface of the sea, river or lake or a few meters from it

Accordingly, for anything else but to entertain people, Flyboard is no good. By the way, in this role it has been used for a long time and on any major beach.


Frankie Zapata didn't stop there. He was not satisfied with the surrogate of a jet air board. Moreover, the flying pack has long been developed - this is the Jetpack from the Martin Aircraft Company. And the first flight on such a device took place in 1961.

Flyboard Air Features

Frankie Zapata wanted to fly without hoses, just like the heroes of comics and science fiction films did. And in 2016, he succeeded. Then the first video with a test flight appeared on the network. It took place over water at a speed of 55 km / h at a height of 30 meters.

Two years later, the aircraft reappeared, with improved performance. The inventor accelerated on it to 166 km / h. Flights are carried out due to the five engines built into the Flyboard Air.


The fuel supply is stored in a backpack on the pilot's back. The jet board is controlled by a special remote control. Of course, the pilot must be in good physical condition and undergo training before the flight. You can try without it, but then the deplorable result is almost guaranteed.


The Flyboard Air has a remote control, there are no wires. On the one hand, this is good - fewer distractions. On the other hand, such a remote control has a high probability of failure. There is a battery, and complex electronics.

Features of jet engines

For a skateboard to fly, you need a motor. Naturally, as expected in science fiction literature and the film industry, he must be reactive. Otherwise, it will not fly or will look ridiculous. Although, with a propeller from below or from above, it would also look interesting, albeit not so spectacular.


The Flyboard Air engine is proudly called its own and unique development. One can argue with this, because it was not invented from scratch, but on the basis of JetCat rocket motors popular in a narrow area. They are used more often in aeromodelling.

But to say that the creators of Flyboard Air did nothing important is not worth it. They had to:

✅ Increase the power so that the engine block can lift a person
✅ Deal with the balancing system
✅ Set up an algorithm responsible for changing control parameters under changing operating and weather conditions

As a result, the manufacturers achieved their goal - they created something strange, not to say directly revolutionary, but definitely inspiring delight.

And how is it managed?

Flyboard Air looks like it's part of the image of a computer game hero. The design is impressive and futuristic. On the platform in the middle, there are 5 engines protruding from above and below. Sliding shoes, like roller skates, are fixed along the edges of the platform. The legs are fixed with straps. The simplest supports are provided below.

Before getting on the platform, it is advisable for the future pilot to take training courses. Of course, this is not necessary, because you do not need a license to use Flyboard Air. But without training to fly is at least unreasonable.


For safety reasons, a backpack parachute is recommended - you never know what can happen. A flying skateboard is controlled by a remote control. It does not directly affect the engines - it is too dangerous, because maneuvering, takeoff and landing occur due to a change in thrust. It is worth making a sharp rash jerk and a disaster can occur.

All signals from the remote control are processed by the on-board computer. After that, they are converted into commands that act on the engines.

Where can you fly?

Flyboard Air was not certified in Russia. This thing is too expensive to be mass produced. Since we touched on the price, it is in our country in the region of 22 million rubles.


Impressive, isn't it? For this money, you can buy, for example, 10 new restyled cars LADA Vesta SW Cross in the Luxe configuration. This is a ready-made business - then hand them over to a taxi and earn money!

There is also a budget option that does not include the purchase of Flyboard Air. A test flight costs 400 thousand rubles, this program also includes training. It is also expensive - you can take a good used car for this money. But does it give a feeling of flight?

It turns out that you will have to fly on Flyboard Air at your own peril and risk. By the way, this situation is not only in Russia. Even in France and other countries of the world, the device does not have official permission to free-fly. But it is unlikely that someone will be chasing a person on a jet board, we have it so for sure, except to ask what kind of contraption this is. Although, in a remote area, you also need to fly with caution - some hunter can shoot at the “alien”.


Even the manufacturer urges its future customers to be careful and strictly follow safety rules. After all, Flyboard Air can reach speeds of up to 200 km / h, and behind the pilot's shoulders is a satchel with aviation kerosene. There is a risk, no one denies it, but are there any less dangerous and extreme vehicles in the world?

In addition to its jet board, the manufacturer is also working on other aircraft. For example, the EZ-FLY is essentially the same, but with a walker-like design for the elderly. Apparently this is for those who want to fly but are afraid of the Flyboard Air. The company is also working on the JETRACER, which is more like an air bike.

Will Flyboard Air ever become mainstream? Who knows - it all depends on the hardworking Chinese. They will definitely soon create clones that will cost several times cheaper. The main thing is that this does not affect security for the worse ...