Zapata is a French aviation company founded by Franky Zapata, best known for inventing the Flyboard and pioneering jet-powered personal flight. The company evolved from water sports innovation into a bold vision for individual air mobility, aiming to make flying machines safe, clean, and accessible.

Zapata’s story begins with Franky Zapata, a jet-ski champion who won multiple European and world titles before turning his mechanical expertise toward invention. In 1998, he founded Zapata Racing, initially focused on high-performance watercraft. By 2011, he introduced the Flyboard®, a water-propelled device that allowed riders to soar above the waves. The invention went viral, with millions of views online, and quickly positioned Zapata as a global innovator in extreme sports.

In 2016, Zapata shifted from water to air with the creation of the Flyboard® Air, a jet-powered hoverboard capable of free flight. Franky Zapata famously crossed the English Channel in 2019 on this device, capturing worldwide attention and demonstrating the potential of personal aviation. The company’s ambition expanded beyond spectacle: Zapata began collaborating with defense organizations and investors to explore practical applications of its technology, from demonstrations for the U.S. Army to partnerships with international firms.

Today, Zapata positions itself as a pioneer in air mobility, with projects like the AirScooter and JetRacer aimed at creating safe, user-friendly flying machines for everyday use. The company’s mission is to revolutionize transportation by making airborne travel clean, pleasant, and affordable. With support from global investors and a growing aerospace portfolio, Zapata continues to push the boundaries of human mobility, blending engineering brilliance with a daring entrepreneurial spirit.