“Jet Pack” Unveiled at Air Show

As an update to yesterday’s post on the subject, the jet pack has been demonstrated at an air show.

“That’s the slogan, more or less, of New Zealand’s Martin Jetpack company, which debuted its $100,000 personal flight apparatus Tuesday at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis.

As thousands looked on, inventor Glenn Martin’s 16-year-old son donned a helmet, fastened himself to a prototype and revved the engine, which sounded like a motorcycle.

Harrison Martin eased about three feet off the ground, the engine roaring with a whine so loud that some kids covered their ears.

With two spotters preventing the jet pack from drifting in a mild wind, the teenager hovered for 45 seconds and then set the device down as the audience applauded.”

Some new details emerged, as the device has a flight time of thirty minutes (!) on five gallons of fuel, which is a real breakthrough. I can see how, with light weight composite materials and advanced manufacturing technology, this thing could be made significantly smaller, lighter, less expensive, and more efficient, perhaps bringing the flight time up to an hour.

Also, since it’s classified as an ultralight by the FAA, no license is required to fly one.

There really isn’t any reason this thing should cost any more than a high performance motorcycle or even a Jet Ski, however. When it comes down to that point, I’ll get one.