Franky Zapata Unveils His Newest Creation: A Flying Car

French inventor Franky Zapata has revealed his latest breakthrough: a flying car. He showcased the machine by soaring over the Étang de Berre near Marseille, performing a few aerial stunts to demonstrate its capabilities.

The 43-year-old self-taught engineer is best known for flying across the English Channel three years ago. In 2019, he created the Flyboard, a jet-powered hoverboard on which he made his first headline-grabbing flights.

This year, his new invention is the JetRacer, a flying car powered by ten small jet engines mounted on an ultralight frame. The pilot sits as comfortably as in an armchair and controls the vehicle with a joystick.

Despite weighing only 78 kilograms, the JetRacer can carry up to 200 kilograms. It can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h (about 155 mph) and has a range of roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles). It’s capable of vertical takeoff and landing, making it extremely maneuverable.

According to Zapata, the JetRacer is easy to learn to operate—mastering the controls takes less than 20 minutes. It can also be flown remotely. For now, the flying car is intended for rescue teams, the military, and extreme recreational activities rather than everyday transportation.

Two additional JetRacers are currently being built for testing by amateur pilots, and by the end of 2022, Zapata plans to introduce a hybrid-powered aircraft the size of a minibus that will consume less fuel than current flying car models.