Feel like your living in the future? The old jetpacks that use hydrogen peroxide are out, new jetpacks that are really turbines are in.   Heck, this even runs on good old gasoline.  The problem has always been that jetpacks only held enough fuel for 20-30 seconds because they were rocket propulsion based as opposed to turbine based. Granted this suit is rather large, it gets the job done.  Check out Martin Jetpack.

Useful information:

Weight	5 ft
Width	5.5 ft
Length	5 ft
Structure	Carbon fibre composite
Empty weight	250 lbs (excluding safety equipment)
Gross weight	535 lbs
Useful (Pilot) Load	280 lbs+
Maximum thrust	600 lbs+
Fuel Capacity	5 US gallons (as required by FAA Part 103,Ultralight Regulations)
Fuel burn	10.0 gph
Engine	Martin Aircraft 2.0 L V4 2 stroke, rated at 200 hp (150 kw). Max 6000 rpm.
Electrical system	12 V DC Battery, starter, 360 w alternator.
Rotor	Carbon / Kevlar composite diameter 1.7 ft
Max	7058 rpm
Range	31.5 miles (at max speed of 63 mph as required by FAA part 103).
Hover in ground effect	8000 ft (estimated)
Hover above ground effect	8000 ft (estimated)
Standard Equipment	Flight and Engine displays Harness Ballistic Parachute Retractable undercarriage Energy absorbing undercarriage.
Classification	Meets the requirements of the FAA Part 103, Ultralight Regulations
Pilot License	The Ultralight class does not require an FAA recognised pilots license.

I’m impressed.  Anyone want to loan me $100,000? The site is a little slow as tons of people are checking it out.  If you want want you can put a down payment of 10% down now.

More video of the item hosted at New York Times here.

So here is the thing, you don’t need a pilots license to fly this just like with ultralights but if you think you’re just going to go buy one and take off and fly around without some instruction guess what?  I’ll be seeing your name on the darwin awards – or at least the “Hold my beer while I try this” awards.  Seriously if you’re thinking about this you need to get some flight instruction.

Tags: jet, martin, pack, rocketman
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