Now France's Franky Zapata has flying car on his mind

Shortly after his return to France after successfully crossing the Channel on a hoverboard, inventor reveals plans to unveil flying car by the end of the year

Published Modified

A flying car is the next thing on "Flying Man" Franky Zapata's mind - and he plans to get his vehicle in the air by the end of 2019.

On his return to France after flying across the Channel on his hoverboard at the second time of asking on Sunday, Mr Zapata told reporters he intended to demonstrate his flying car invention in the next four months.

He said it would be able to fly at speeds of between 300kph and 400kph, over distances of 100 to 120 kilometres.

"I have my flying car to finish, it has to be released before the end of the year," he said. "We're going to go home, take a little vacation and then, with the whole team, get back to work so that it's ready on time," he told reporters, back in Calais.

A four-engined version of the chassis has already been successfully tested, he said.

The team are waiting for the French civil aviation authority, the DCAG, to grant the car a flight permit, but they expect the paperwork to arrive in a few days.

A 10-engine model is expected to take to the skies near the company's workshop in Le Rove, Bouches-du-Rhône, soon afterwards.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France