Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Franky Zapata Crosses English Channel on Hoverboard on 2nd Try From https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/04/world/europe/franky-zapata-hoverboard-uk-france.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_NN_p_20190805§ion=whatElse?campaign_id=9&instance_id=11418&segment_id=15878&user_id=2a74a0088d1fb46e0d0616331ce77dbb®i_id=30446431ion=whatElse PARIS — Franky Zapata, the hoverboarding Frenchman who wowed Bastille Day crowds last month with a jet-powered hoverboard, successfully crossed the English Channel on his second attempt Sunday on the device he invented. An attempt 10 days ago failed after Mr. Zapata fell into the watermidway through the crossing when he tried to land on a boat-mounted platform to refuel. On Sunday, the midway refueling — Mr. Zapata’s machine runs on kerosene — went smoothly. Gliding above the water on what he calls a Flyboard Air, Mr. Zapata took about 22 minutes to cover the roughly 20 miles that separate Sangatte, in northern France, from St. Margaret’s Bay, just east of Dover, in southern England. “At one point, we thought to ourselves, ‘We are crazy,’ it won’t work,” a visibly elated Mr. Zapata told reporters after landing. “And when it does work, it’s just a magical moment.” “I could see England getting closer, and I tried to enjoy it to avoid thinking about the pain,” Mr. Zapata added, noting that his legs had started to hurt from the flight. Asked if he thought he had accomplished a historical feat, Mr. Zapata said it was not up to him to decide. “But what’s important is what remains in our hearts,” he said. “We did it.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 I want one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Hombre Sin Nombre Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Excellent. And about time. I always assumed we would have hover boards before the cubs won the world series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Oh, goody. Something else to clutter up our skies along with airplanes, drones, kites, hot air balloons, kids' balloons. RC airplanes, rockets, firework , and air drop fire fighting tankers. Not room enough for birds and clouds and butterflies and honey bees anymore. (insert tongue-in-cheek emoji here.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 I figure 10 years yet. About a 12 mile range depending on how much fuel you can carry on your back. Pilot must currently be in excellent physical condition in order to maintain stability. and something akin to the rules for drones will apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 I think I can do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 10 minutes ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: I think I can do it! Would the ranch ATC, aka “the missus”, give you an air worthiness certificate? And a pilot’s license? i think only if she was looking to collect on your insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 I can’t fathom the leg strength needed to make the zillion corrections per second to maintain balance. It’d be like balancing on a rubber ball that’s moving itself around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 He said his legs were having problems by the end of the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 8 hours ago, Charlie Harley, #14153 said: I can’t fathom the leg strength needed to make the zillion corrections per second to maintain balance. It’d be like balancing on a rubber ball that’s moving itself around. Maybe he can invent a gyroscope, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 It’s all a matter of weight of the craft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Trouble with this mode of transportation, like science-fiction 'jet packs' in general, is that most failures, over land at least, will be fatal. There's a lot of space between 'high enough to kill you' and 'too low to deploy a parachute'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 21 minutes ago, Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 said: Trouble with this mode of transportation, like science-fiction 'jet packs' in general, is that most failures, over land at least, will be fatal. There's a lot of space between 'high enough to kill you' and 'too low to deploy a parachute'. Won’t be a problem ..once they invent anti gravity belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 This is what we need...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Coulda been worse! He could have tried it on a skateboard! Would just need pontoons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 22 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: I think I can do it! And the purpose of this bloody thing is what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 12 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Won’t be a problem ..once they invent anti gravity belts. Activate the remote transporter while falling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 I don't see the purpose of these contraptions. I can wait for a ferry, bus, train, or airplane and avoid the problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Ummph!! If God intended for us to fly, He'd have given us wings. Actually, I think, "Well done!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 A pilot would have to at least observe the “no drone zones” around airports and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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