From Toms Hardware: Soon the first commercially available jetpack will hit the market and as long as you've got $86,000 to spare, nothing stands in your way of purchasing one. You don't even need a pilot's license.
Constructed from carbon fiber composite, the Martin Jetpack weighs 250 lbs (excluding safety equipment) and is 5 ft high by 5.5 ft wide by 5 ft long. Gizmag reports it's driven by a 2.0 L V4 2 stroke engine rated at 200 hp (150 kw) and two 1.7 ft wide rotors made from carbon/Kevlar composite. It runs on regular gasoline, can reach heights of 8,000 ft and has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes.
Martin Aircraft says that as sales and production volume increase they expect the $86,000 to drop to the price of a mid-range car. According to Gizmag, a 10 percent deposit buys you a production slot for 12 months hence; progress payments are made during manufacture with final payment due on delivery.
14 Comments
EnzoblueWhat a clunky looking pos. All that engineering and equipment just to get a pilot into a position where his legs are hanging free? Pass.
GeeSussFreeKWhile this is nearly completely awesome; a fan or ducting failure on this spells certain death at any reasonable speed and altitude.
slybriIt's not really a jet pack if you can't walk around with it on your back. It's too big. Why not just put a seat on the thing and call it a hovercar?
sholewell, you could, but it would immediately fill up with eels so i'll take the free-hanging version thank you
StormsingerI'm kinda with Enzo on this one. For what need is this a better solution than existing vehicles? If it's just a toy, it seems unlikely that we'll ever see the price actually come down.
I wasn't able to play the sound, so maybe they mentioned this, but I'm curious about the payload...does it have enough capacity for any cargo beyond an adult male?
rebuilderBanned in 3...2...1...
Longswd>> ^GeeSussFreeK:
While this is nearly completely awesome; a fan or ducting failure on this spells certain death at any reasonable speed and altitude.
Like it says in the description "the Martin Jetpack weighs 250 lbs (excluding safety equipment)", I assume they will have an explosive charge deployed parachute like is available for ultralights. I know I sure as hell wouldn't fly it without one.
EMPIREsays...I have read somewhere that yes, they will have built-in parachutes.
So I guess it's not that unsafe, unless you're flying at 10 feet from the ground. In that case, you're gonna break a leg or two.
timefactorsays...I'm totally going to get one of these! First place I'm going to fly to? The Apple store, to pick up an iPad!
ant*music
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steroidgsays...According to the interview on the Hack from triple J radio station (http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/s2843441.htm), the jet pack can fly for half an hour at speed of 100KM per hour. The limitation is due to regulations. It can be used for disaster relief situations where helicopters can't land easily. Apparently it's really easy to learn.
dagComment hidden because you are ignoring dag.(show it anyway)
Finally. The future's here.
BoneRemake>> ^GeeSussFreeK:
While this is nearly completely awesome; a fan or ducting failure on this spells certain death at any reasonable speed and altitude.
Before I read your comment I was watching it hover around, even what hes doing is dangerous, unless its set down just square to the ground, what to stop it from tipping forward and crushing the guy, even if its "light" it has potential for brain trauma from impact.
THATS a seriously awesome thing they built, wonder whats next.
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