While I can envision a military interest in such a machine (perhaps even considering it a bargain), sport flying use is likely to be limited by the six-figure pricetag. Jetpack comes with a BRS parachute and “the goal is to provide impact protection from 30 feet high.” Training is shown at lower right.
The Martin Jetpack flew at Oshkosh in a carefully controlled environment (photo). Two people held special “training wheel” grips on each side and Jetpack never lifted more than a couple feet off the ground. If you weren’t in the front row of the airshow demonstration you might have missed the flight (although not the noise). *** But Jetpack did fly and can qualify as a Part 103 ultralight, according to New Zealand developer Glenn Martin. Besides being the most compact Ultralight Vehicle at 5 x 5 x 5 feet, it’s probably the most expensive at $100,000. Martin said he has been working on the Jetpack for 30 years also developing a 200-hp two-stroke piston engine that pumps air through ducted fans to adjustable steering vanes to control flight. Jetpack specs *** A Jetpack pilot controls pitch and roll with the left joystick. A right stick is both a twist grip throttle and pivoting yaw control. The vehicle is built significantly from carbon fiber, weighs 250 pounds empty, carries 5 gallons of fuel, and while burning 10 gph, can fly about 30 miles at 63 mph, the company indicated. The non-aviation media loved the Jetpack, publishing nearly 1,000 TV stories in the days after its debut at Oshkosh.
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