Jet Packs, Finally On Sale 132
Bad_CRC1945 writes "The good news: Not one, but two companies are selling jet packs. The bad news: The tech has a long way to go. In the past, potential buyers have been stymied by two problems: Rocket belts aren't for sale, and even prototypes run on modern-day fuel (as opposed to whatever the Jetsons use) which means rocket belts can weigh upwards of 100 pounds, with only enough fuel to stay aloft for under a minute." That second problem's still with us, but the article hints that jet-fuel options (for the brave) could considerably extend users' time aloft.
What? (Score:3, Insightful)
Why do people think that jet fuel is some futuristic stuff? It is basically kerosene.
A not so big secret is that jet engines became popular, not because they were super-efficient, but because they could burn crappy cheap jet fuel. Thus a less efficient jet engine could run faster and cheaper than a piston-engined aircraft.
Re:I've always wondered (Score:1, Insightful)
What exactly is the point of jetpacks supposed to be? They don't seem to be useful for any civilian or military purposes that other technologies aren't more appropriate. Is the obsession with jetpacks just about being like a comic book superhero?
Purpose: putting yourself and others at risk. Also known as fun for some people (not for me).
Re:The Future Today in 30s - makes perfect sense (Score:3, Insightful)
What they did not foresee in 1980 was the rise of telecommuting and that those same commuters would not have to travel very far.
More to the point, even though it is 2010 the laws of physics still apply, and there haven't been significant breakthroughs in compact power plants for jet packs.
Re:I've always wondered (Score:3, Insightful)
Humans have always wanted to fly like birds can.
Flying without a plane is as close as you can get to that?
Just to be able to fly from one point to another, no need for a car or other vehicle. No traffic.
Re:I've always wondered (Score:4, Insightful)
until the sky fills with jetpack equipped people, and one gets there faster by walking.
Dunno about other humans... (Score:3, Insightful)
Dunno about other humans, but for me it would be mostly about the "without a plane around me" part, when I have to travel long distance. Airlines suck, frankly.
I remember the last time I was in an aircraft, with some leg space that was too small even for a 5 ft tall woman who was with us, listening to a screaming kid, and peering down into some airliner joke food that was at most good for a goat, I remembered the famous Da Vinci quote, "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." I thought, you can tell the fucker never tasted _this_ kind of flight :p
If a jetpack could get me from here to there without that hassle, I'm all for it.
Heck, I'd even fork over the money for a zeppelin flight, if they can have some more humane accommodations.
There's a lot of truth in OP's statement (Score:3, Insightful)
While I agree with your point that the jet is far superior to the ICE engine in everything but low power low cost flight, there's also truth in the OP's original statement about the inexpensive fuel being a valuable benefit of jet turbines. Some time ago, the rail industry started producing Jet Turbine locomotives due to the huge price differential between jet fuel, and diesel fuel. These engines enjoyed the power and weight benefits you describe, with the ability to burn oil that was unsuitable for use in ICE. They were eventually phased out as oil processing techniques improved, and the fuel became more valuable and expensive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_GTELs [wikipedia.org]
The OP also makes a valuable point that Jet Fuel is not expensive or particularly exotic.