While hoverboards were once objects from science-fiction blockbusters (we’re looking at you, Back To The Future), the futuristic vehicles are now very much a reality.
Now, one ambitious inventor has revealed plans to cross the English Channel on board his jet-powered hoverboard.
Franky Zapata, who is widely known as the ‘flying soldier’, will attempt the crossing this Thursday, according to The Guardian.
During the crossing, Mr Zapata plans to cross from Sangatte in France to St Margaret’s Bay near Dover - a distance of around 37 miles (60 kilometres).
While this crossing takes the fastest swimmers over seven hours to complete, Mr Zapata estimates it will take him just 20 minutes on his hoverboard.
This means he’ll reach speeds of up to 86.9mph (140km/h) during his attempt.
Speaking to Le Parisien, he said: “It won’t be easy at all and I reckon I’ve a 30% chance of succeeding.”
So far, the flight has been approved by civil aviation authorities, but Mr Zapata is yet to be approved by the French maritime authority.
Speaking to The Guardian, the French maritime authority explained: “We have advised against the crossing because it is extremely dangerous given the traffic in the Channel, one of the busiest (shipping) straits in the world.”
Ideally, Mr Zapata hopes to refuel the hoverboard by hovering over a ship, so he can claim a true ‘cross-Channel flight.’
However, this refuelling method is risky, and instead he may be forced to land on the ship.
If the Channel crossing goes ahead, it will be the second time Mr Zapata has publicly flown the hoverboard this month.
Earlier this month he took to the skies above Paris’ Champs-Elysées in front of several European leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, as part of the Bastille Day parade.
