Wed, Sep 23, 2009
Last year, at EAA AirVenture 2008, over 5,000 attendees
witnessed the first public flight demonstration of the Martin
Jetpack.
Since then, the Martin Aircraft Company has made immense strides
to improve the basic design and ease of operation of the prototype;
most notably, the company has converted to a fly-by wire system
allowing novice jetpack pilots to safely solo the aircraft within
an hour of training. Over the last year, nearly 5,000 test
flights have been performed without injury.
The dual-fan technology compares to that of jet skis and jet
boats, with a coherent stream of air exiting the fanjets allowing a
pilot to be strapped in upright.
Glenn Martin first developed the Martin Jetpack concept in 1981
and after thirty years of research, received verification on the
design by the University of Canterbury’s Mechanical
Engineering Department. Produced to meet the requirements of
the FAA Part 103 regulations, the jetpack is classified as an
“ultralight” in the United States.
Though its ultralight classification does not require a license
to fly, the Martin Aircraft Company requires all owners to pass the
company’s pilot program before receipt of their
aircraft. Modeled after standard helicopter training, the
program is held at the Martin Aircraft Company in Christchurch, New
Zealand.
Recently, the company announced it was holding an eBay auction
for the opportunity to be an official jetpack test pilot.
Running until Thursday, September, 24th, the auction winner will
become the first person outside the development team to fly the
Martin Jetpack. Currently, at the time of this publication,
the highest bid received is $30,000 with only a day to go until the
auction closes.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]