The First 'Practical' Jetpack May Be On Sale In Two Years 127
Daniel_Stuckey writes "This week, New Zealand-based company Martin Aircraft became certified to take what it calls 'the world's first practical jetpack' out for a series of manned test flights. If all goes well, the company plans to start selling a consumer version of the jetpack in 2015, starting at $150,000 to $200,000 and eventually dropping to $100,000. 'For us it's a very important step because it moves it out of what I call a dream into something which I believe we're now in a position to commercialize and take forward very quickly,' CEO Peter Coker told the AFP."
Practical (Score:5, Insightful)
30 minutes max... 400 pounds.... starting at $150,000
I think this guy has a skewed idea of practical.
hmm (Score:5, Insightful)
Only it's not practical, a jet, or a pack.
Re:More like a ultralight helicopter (Score:5, Insightful)
This thing is heavier than some ultralight helicopters.
If you want an ultralight helicopter, they're available [rotorfx.com] for as little as $6,000.
FYI, My wife will not be happy about you providing that link. You did a baaaaad thing :)
I, on the other hand, can't think of a more fun way to get myself killed! Well, not for the low, low price of 6 grand, anyway.
Re:Could somebody... (Score:5, Insightful)
Watched the video and *phew* is that thing ever noisy, and in a range which is bothersome - like an overlarge mosquito.
Re:It's not a jet pack (Score:4, Insightful)
Just sayin'
Yep, noticed that 33 seconds into the video when it didn't run out of fuel.
This is not a jet pack. (Score:4, Insightful)
To be a jet pack, I need to be able to carry it on my back. Walk around with it, and then take to the sky at will.
That was the dream of the jet pack. That it would give a person the ability to walk around and then leap into the sky at will.
This thing does fly... but you can't really walk with it.
Its sort of like calling something a sea plane when it can't float. Yeah... it might fly... but... if it sinks when it hits the water its not a sea plane.
This isn't a jet pack. Try again.