By Evan Ackerman
When we posted our last update on the Martin Jetpack Ductedfanpack about a year ago, they were looking at producing around 10 units at $100,000 each. In that quantity and price, it didn’t seem like something that was particularly realistic. At the end of last month the Telegraph reported that Martin Aircraft Company had teamed up with an unnamed international aircraft company, and that the new partnership had secured enough capital to begin producing 500 jetpacks a year at a cost of around $75,000 each. Yes, it’s a lot, but come on, it’s a personal jetpack, and it may actually be a practical one too:
-No pilot’s license required
-Runs on premium gas from a gas station
-30 mile range at 60 mph, 8000 ft ceiling
-Includes low altitude ballistic parachute for safety
It’s certainly not the sexy sci-fi jetpack of the future yet, but I mean, it works, and you can actually buy one (quite soon, anyway) for a not entirely crazy amount of money.
[ Martin Jetpack ] VIA [ Telegraph ]
Birthday.
This is great! All it really needs is an illegal gas tank (bumping it out of the ultralight classification) to up the flight time, and blatent disregard for FAA flight restriction over congested cities and then I could fly it to work. And hope someone doesn't steal it.
Can it really be called a jet “pack” when it's that HUGE? I mean, you hear “jetpack,” you think “jet in a backpack.”
Just sayin'.
I'd want one in multi-cam and matching helmet.
I'd want one in multi-cam and matching helmet.