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Q:

I read about a real hoverboard that actually flies. I think it was called the Zapata hoverboard. How do they make this fly?

A:

This particular machine uses four engines, each with roughly 250 horsepower. By controlling how much horsepower each of these engines give to different turbines on the sides of the hovercraft, stability is created. Additionally, computer coding atomatically readjusts the thrust nozzles on each turbine to create maximum stability. This, combined with the experienced balance of the flier, allows for a long (roughly 3 km at 90 kph) and stable flight. Simply, this craft takes the concepts like the F-35 aircraft, with the adjustable thrust direction, and shrinks them for one person flight. 

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