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Futuristic hoverboard is the real deal, and it just set a new Guinness World Record for flight

Published May 2nd, 2016 2:49PM EDT
Hoverboard World Record

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Last month, we were blown away by a new hoverboard video that was so amazing most everyone decided that it had to be fake. The hoverboard in question – dubbed the Flyboard Air – was built by Zapata Racing and featured seemingly impossible specs: autonomous flight up to 10,000 feet, a top speed of 93 mph and 10 minutes of flying time.

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Well, in an effort to silence the haters and skeptics, Zapata Racing over the weekend was it again. This time, inventor Franky Zapata set out to set a new hoverboard record with the futuristic Flyboard Air. And whereas the first Flyboard Air video featured a lot of quick cuts and close-up shots – and thereby bolstering the notion that the video received the special effects treatment – the video that Zapata Racing filmed over the weekend is, dare we say, easier to take at face value.

What’s more, the recent Flyboard Air demonstration took place in front of a crowd of invited journalists, photographers and Guinness World Record officials. In short, maybe this crazy futuristic device is actually the real deal.

 

As for the new hoverboard record, Zapata managed to take the Flyboard Air on a 7,388 foot journey. Highlights of the record-breaking trip can be seen via the two videos below.

As for how it all works, Zapata relayed in an interview with The Verge last month that the Flyboard Air takes advantage of four 250 horsepower turboengines which are fueled by Jet A1 kerosene which Zapata has strapped to his back. What’s more, the contraption has two additional engines designed for stabilization purposes.

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.