He told waiting crowds: “Frankly, this feels magnificent. There were no problems this time. I’m tired. I’m
not on holiday, but I’m elated. Thanks so much my team, and to my wife.”
The self-styled Flying Frenchman travelled at a speed of up to 87mph during the journey and largely stayed
49ft above the water. He came in to land at 7.39am.
Zapata prepares to land on St Margaret’s beach
(AFP/Getty)The invention’s backpack carries enough kerosene to power about 10 minutes in the air meaning Mr Zapata
had to land briefly on a boat platform to refuel during the sea crossing. He used a bigger platform after last
time’s calamity when he tumbled into the water from the station.
Before setting off he had said he had a 50 per cent chance of success: “We want to follow a little bit in the
footsteps of the pioneers of aviation,” he told gathered reporters.
The invention itself won global acclaim when it was unveiled during Bastille Day celebrations in Paris this
year. Mr Zapata had been given a grant of more than £1m from the French government to develop the
device.
Now, after the successful sea crossing, he hopes his device will one day enter commercial production, as a
revolutionary piece of military hardware.