A Secretive Project To Make First Public Debut At Aeroshell Square

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has always been a location for some pretty amazing feats and firsts, and this year’s event promises to impress yet again with an appearance of a new personal flying machine shrouded in mystery.

On Tuesday, July 29 the Martin Jetpack will be introduced for its first public debut. At 0930, the company will launch the personal jetpack from Aeroshell Square. According to a release issued last week, the creators are calling it “the most eagerly awaited personal aircraft man ever dreamed about.”

If you’ve never heard of the Martin Jetpack, you’re not alone. Not much is known about the company at this point and if you visit their website, the only information available is the date of the Oshkosh unveiling. According to EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski, the company asked to keep the project under wraps to build public anticipation. Sources say the project has been in development for around 27 years and the company is located in the Australia/New Zealand part of the world -- where there are lots of secluded areas to test such a secret program.

The developers of the “World’s First Practical Jetpack” state that their innovation is distinguished by a unique, patented technology. Capable of flying 100 times longer than the Bell Rocket Belt of the 1960s, it uses regular gasoline and complies with FAA Ultralight regulations.

Don’t confuse this project with others you may have seen. The Martin Jetpack is not associated in any way with the venture by Jet Pack International.

The allure of the jetpack has captured public fancy for many years as it offers the ultimate in portable personal flying. The 1965 James Bond film Thunderball popularized the idea and as a result there have been many civilian and military ventures trying to perfect the concept -- though flight times have rarely lasted more than a minute.

Perhaps you’ll just need to be there at Oshkosh to see for yourself!

FMI: www.martinjetpack.com, www.airventure.org