The power of flight can be yours for a heavy price tag. Martin Jetpack has been in development since the 80s and will be ready for emergency services starting in 2016. (via Martin Jetpack)
I know this is, somewhat, old news. Jetpacks… Do you think these are simply toys for the ultra-rich, or a step towards the future? (I suppose automobiles were toys for the wealthy at one point.)
According to various sic-fi movies and TV shows, by this time humans should have the power of flight on their side thanks to hovercrafts and jet packs. It sounds impossible, but one company is apparently a step closer to making this a reality. The Martin Jetpack, which has been in development for the past 35 years, is set to be shipped out for 2016. If this actually happens it will be the world's first commercially available jetpack. First conceived by Glen Martin in 1981, the jetpack is made from carbon fibre and aluminum. It uses gas powered fans instead of rocket-based propulsion and can lift weights up to 120kgs into the air. It will also have over 30 minutes of flight time at speeds up to 74 km/h with an altitude up to 1,000m.
There are other advantages not found in other small aircrafts, such as the ability to takeoff and land vertically, and operate in confined spaces such as between buildings or near trees. Since this will propel people in the air without the comfort of an enclosed space, safety is a big feature of the jetpack. It has a low-altitude parachute and is made to be easy to operate making it the most safe light aircraft on the market, according to their website.
This all sounds promising, but there is one catch: the $150,000 price tag. Though The Martin Jetpack wants to appeal emergency services first and foremost, there's no doubt we'll start seeing millionaire playboys hovering around the beach trying to see how high they can go. The Martin Jetpack will ship out to emergency services first starting next year, with one for personal use coming out in 2017.
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