p2pnet - rss feed: Leader of the (jet) pack
p2pnet news view | Cool Stuff:- It’s rocket science of a new kind.
A New Zealand inventor had his 16-year-old son, Harrison, power up and fly “the world’s first practical jetpack” at the EAA AirVenture annual air show in Oshgosh, Wisconsin.
“Glenn Martin, 48, who has spent 27 years developing the devices, said he hoped to begin selling them next year for $100,000 apiece,” says the New York Times, going on:
“Buck Rogers and James Bond used jetpacks, and since the 1960s, several real jetpack designs have been built from metal, plastic and propellant. None has flown more than a minute. Mr. Martin’s machines can run for 30 minutes.”
Its 200-horsepower piston engine runs on premium automobile, “purchased from the corner gas station,” says the Chicago Tribune, adding:
“Martin and his wife, Vanessa, who volunteered as the original Jetpack test pilot in the first of 11 prototypes, looked on as Harrison, strapped into the machine and wearing a crash helmet with a face shield and a fire-proof flight suit, revved the engine to warm it up.”
Then —— Lift Off!
.
.Stumble It!
New York Times - The Jetpack: From Comics to a Liftoff in the Yard, July 29, 2008
Chicago Tribune -Leader of jet pack off to flying start but still has a ways to go, July 29, 2008
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July 30th, 2008 at 7:25 am
there was a swiss guy who did a much better job just last month - and he flew over mountains. this NZ guy is not the first and should not be credited as the first. his machine is too noisy and bulky - not at all practical. the swiss guy’s is lightweight in comparison, not noisy, and it actually works (flies).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEXxkWXncuo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-66AcTo9TU
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/468993/jetman
i say just last month because that’s when i saw it when it was picked up by lamescream news. according to the dates of the video postings above, he had already done it at least 2 years ago in smaller test flights.
the metacafe and second youtube clips are the best of the three here. and there are more videos and news articles about the swiss man.
this NZ attempt was imo pretty lame in comparison. and the guy who yelled “i want one!” is even lamer. who wants two bulky noisy leaf blowers on their back - and at that price? and it doesn’t even fly! i think if the people holding him up were to let go, he’d probably be too top-heavy and fall on his head instead of flying away.