Flyboard
A flyboard was originally a water sports device powered by the recoil of a water jet , which enabled the user standing on it to hover tied up to 9 meters above the water surface. The drive energy of the flyboard in the form of pressurized water was fed to it via a hose that was connected to the impeller pump of a jet ski , whose water jet drive generated the necessary amount of pressurized water in this way.
The further development is the Flyboard Air , which keeps itself in the air through the recoil of several jet engines and can therefore move completely freely both over land and water.
history
The Flyboard was developed in spring 2011 by the French jet ski driver Franky Zapata as an alternative to the Jetlev Flyer . After Zapata's team had initially developed various prototypes, he succeeded in developing a model with which one could rise out of the water and keep it stable in the air. The French patent office Institut national de la propriété industrial (INPI) granted Zapata a patent for the flyboard.
The device was presented to the public for the first time during the jet ski world championships in China in 2012.
The further development of Zapata, the Flyboard Air , is based on five jet engines, allows the unrestrained take-off from solid ground with a payload of up to 100 kg (including the pilot standing on it), hovering in place, ascent to 150 m height and the Flight at up to 140 km / h horizontal speed. On July 14, 2019, Zapata, as a pilot with a dummy rifle in his left hand, demonstrated a flight lasting several minutes at a height of up to several dozen meters at the military parade on the national holiday in Paris. On August 4, 2019, Zapata was the first person to cross the English Channel with a flyboard of the same type, but without a plane .
technology
The top of the device, which weighs around 40 kilograms, consists of a base with a binding similar to a water ski or snowboard binding, in which the user's feet are fixed next to each other at a body-wide distance. The hose connection on the underside is connected to a jet ski via a long water hose. After the hose connection, the water is divided into two partial flows and deflected by 180 ° by two U-shaped channels. A little further outside the position of the feet, the water exits through the two nozzles and generates the thrust to lift the user, who is balancing on the device, out of the water and let him "fly". The boarder controls the device by tilting the foot and, depending on the variant, also using smaller nozzles on the hands.
There are two versions available. In the beginner's version, one person operates the jet ski and the second flies the board. Due to the better freedom of movement, it allows you to learn how to use it faster. The second version is only used by one person who controls the jet ski and flies it at the same time.
Framework
Since the flyboard is powered by a jet ski, it can only be used on waters that are approved for their use. A sports boat license is always required for use in Germany , as the jet skis have more than 15 hp.
The use of a life jacket and a water sports helmet are recommended.
Web links
- Flyboard product page at zapata.com
- The flying rebel: Fight against the authorities + Flyboard-Air-Franky Zapata continues to test - video report, spiegel.de, July 30, 2018.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Zapata's outrageous, US $ 6,600 Flyboard - Aquaman meets Iron Man at gizmag.com, accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ a b c d History ( Memento of the original dated August 6, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at zapata-racing.com, accessed on August 13, 2013
- ^ "Flying man" at the military parade in Paris orf.at, July 14, 2019, accessed July 14, 2019.
- ↑ North North East. (No longer available online.) In: ARD-aktuell ARD-Aktuell. August 18, 2014, archived from the original on June 20, 2015 ; Retrieved June 20, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Where can I have fun with the flyboard? ( Memento of the original from July 31, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at flyboard.de, accessed on August 13, 2013
