Jetpacks have been a thing of science fiction as far back as I can remember (Buck Rogers, anyone?). Now, the Martin jetpack may be the first commercially developed jetpack that can actually be purchased by consumers – and relatively soon.
The Martin jetpack is going to be available in two configurations. One will be constrained to the expected 8000 ft. ceiling and a range of the 31.5 miles (with a maximum speed of 63mph). That’s about 30 minutes worth of flying on a fully fueled tank of gas. Another model will be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) whose field trials are slated to start during 2011. Manned flight could begin as early as 2012.
These jetpacks are the real deal. You literally put them on and they actually work. The engineering that went into the design minimizes the knowledge required to fly and maintain a steady trajectory. That’s just good engineering, but it’s mandatory or else the only way to fly these things would be to have a professional pilot’s license.
If you are one of “those” people that absolutely needs to know the specs on the combustion engine that you might one day soon be strapping to your back, the Martin jetpack uses a gasoline powered V4, 2.0 liter engine capable of producing 200 hp. In fact, the name “jetpack” is actually a bit of a misnomer, as there is not jet involved. But “Enginepack” just isn’t as sexy. It is a carbon fiber design that weighs around 250lbs before adding safety equipment, and at maximum thrust it can carry more than 600 lbs, so even the bulky NFL player that just signed a multi-million dollar contract extension can get in on the action. Can you honestly see Terrell Owens NOT buying one of these?
The standard equipment for the jetpack is slightly unique. While Ferrari might give you a hat or a lovely keychain when you purchase one of their products, they probably do not include a flight and engine display, a harness, a retractable undercarriage that absorbs energy, or a ballistic parachute. All of which come standard with the Martin Jetpack.
Source: DigitalTrends
