Martin Jetpack Makes Flying Possible for $86,000

this makes me happy to be alive. who knew that in a year or two ill be buck rodgers!

Rich man's toy. Even if the price drops to a mid range car. From the video doesn't look fast, and only 30 minutes. Other then to say you have one, there's not really a logical reasoning to get one.

I'm not sure why they call it a "jetpack" because this is ducted fan technology, not rocket or jet propelled, like that true "Buck Rogers" jetpack from the 60s-70s that NASA experimented with.

In any event it looks like real fun. Imagine taking off in your back yard and buzzing your neighborhood over the trees (and watch out for power lines!). But I do know one thing - I'd hate to lose than engine at altitude because there is no gliding back to earth here.

This isn't a replacement for today's modern car and it's not touted to be in this article. This is a great achievement though to be able to produce and sell this publicly for less than some of the BMW & Mercedes sedans. No, most of us can't or wouldn't afford it. No, it's not very practical... yet. Makes you wonder what Jetpack v2 or v3 will be though!

I wonder if this would be any more cost/fuel efficient than driving to work (if your work is less than 30 minutes away, and it doesn't happen to be raining/snowing/reallyfreakingcold).

not really a jet pack ...this thing is just two leaf blowers on steroids... I want something like in the movie rocketman!!!

I can picture that once I graduate from high school I'd be overjoyed to get a drivers licence and a jetpack licence...

Although I think they might need use a different fuel than gasoline as by the time the jetpack is affordable gasoline will not be...

They will figure out something that works better. Think of this as the wright brothers first airplane. It'll get better. The only things I don't like about this design, right away, is the size and the engine and fan noise. Otherwise I think it's pretty darn cool.

That's freaking awesome! Looking forward to hearing about their further advancements.

Even you can buy it, i am not sure, you cannot come with it to your work or do shopping with it.

Does this company have to go thru government to clear flying regulations.

On top of it, i live in DC and it is strictly no-fly zone. you come on this thing, they will take you down with F16.

So be prepared.

But I would consider it for the future... again to take short cut, i do not think you will be able to fly over somebodies roof.

I thinks it's awesome. If this is successful, maybe a big automaker will start producing it and that will definitely get the price in the motorcycles range. Again, I think it's a cool toy.

This is amazing, when i was reading it was like ok probably max hieght of 40 ft, then i scroll down 8000ft hall crap, while probably not practical at all, this may end up being at resorts as sort of like, fly a jet pack for an half and hour for $150, and that would be just amazing.

Why not using an small combustion engine to power up an electrical motor??

@10tacle: nothing beats a parachute to get back down.

think they meant "Martian Jetpack" ?

@akhodjaev - Put it in the same class as an ultralight aircraft. No license to fly, no flight plan to file. Yes it will still have to respect the no flyzones, but good luck tracking something this small, radar has gotten better over the years but it's not perfect and something this small might get overlooked by the control tower.

It will be the coolest thing when someone drops into the local gas station to fill it up then take off again, that day will be epic!!

I wonder how loud the engine is.

I bet this thing handles strong winds at altitude real well - I dont think I'd fancy that... although im dying to have a go

I always really wanted one of those parachutes with the fan you strap to your back.

Its an amazing piece of kit to see ae, sounds pretty awesome 2. good ol inventions from canterbury new zealand ryt, stick that beside the brittan etc. been an awesome uni project for fellow engineering student for a few years now

not knocking it or anything cause its cool and all but it does seem kind of expensive for a couple of large fans and a rotary motor and some controls (and maybe a seat belt and helmet). I mean look at the advancements that paul moller made in rotary engine technology. The rotary engine (think evenrude outboard motor engine) is the only real cost effective engine that has the power to weight ratio to enable this kind of machine. If the motor for this was provided by freedom motors that's moller's sister company. On the positive side though if it doesnt go above 10ft in the air you dont need a pilots license to fly it but then what would be the point in it...

I guess the mythbusters were wrong again...

30 minutes is a huge limitation. Wankel engine would give it better fuel economy + less weight - what a lost opportunity that was

30 minutes is a huge limitation. Wankel engine would give it more fuel economy + lest weight = more time/more range - what a wasted opportunity that is.

I find it odd that even the company calls it a jetpack.

It's not a jet pack, because there aren't any jets.

But it looks a lot more practical than a jet pack could ever conceivably be, looking forward to version 5+ !

GDI Jump Jet Trooper!

GDI Jump Jet Trooper!

All I can say is... Fuck I want one lol damn I mean I really want one Could never afford it but that would be so much fun on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Expensive yes, but they are breaking new ground here, from this point the size will get smaller and the range will get longer, wont be long before the put 4 to 8 fans on a carbon shell and two people can fly around in a hover car.

Truly amazing work by the company, I hope they have a massive success, innovative technology and design like this needs to be nurtured and supported, just surprised (and pleased) the military haven't got involved in it

For the non-pilots out there: you do not need a private (or recreational more so here) pilot's license to fly this. What you would need to do is stay out of certain classes of airspace at certain altitudes, where transponders and radio communication are necessary and you have to be licensed to use them (you are automatically granted a radio operator's license by the FAA when you get your pilot's license).

@ RicardoK: a parachute works great thousands of feet up, but good luck getting one to open fully from just a couple hundred feet buzzing around above the trees (as I referenced) if the engine craps out!

Does anyone thing a lot of those ultralights flying around are piloted by licensed pilots in radio contact with controllers and other aircraft?

It doesn't require a pilot's license yet, but rest assured once the FAA hears about this they'll add the requirement, assuming they allow this at all. Beyond that it's very cool, but also very beyond my reach.

Awsome - talk about a way to beat the traffic LMAO

Even better than my Yamaha R1 and that is Damn Fun ^^

I want one!!!