The object
Franky Zapata invented the Flyboard, a hydro-propelled board that lifts its rider above the water, and the turbine-powered Flyboard Air. The devices created a new water-sport format and made internationally visible demonstrations of compact, body-controlled personal flight hardware possible.
01
What Franky did
Invented and patented the hydro-propelled Flyboard and later the turbine-powered Flyboard Air personal aircraft.
02
Why it matters
Zapata's 2019 Flyboard Air Channel crossing and earlier distance record brought the devices worldwide public and defence-sector attention.
03
Living-status check
Zapata's current company biography, crawled in July 2026, identifies him as its inventor and chief executive and documents continuing product development.