Martin Aircraft Company has developed the miniature of world’s first profitable rocketman suit after finishing another successful test flight recently. Over the Canterbury Plains, the Jetpack loading a weighted dummy was controlled remotely, reached 5000 ft at a climb rate of 800 ft/min, and landed by parachute after about 10 minutes. It broke its own record of flight time. When unveiled for the first time at Oshkosh in the US in 2008, it could fly no more than an altitude of 6 ft and 45 seconds. “This successful test brings the future another step closer.” said the Jetpack’s Inventor, Glenn Martin, who has been working on it for decades.Driven by twin ducted fans, which are powered by a 2.0L V4 2-stroke gasoline engine, rated at 150 Kw, max 6000 rpm, Jetpack has the ability to climb more than 1000 ft per minute to 8000 ft and cruise at max speed of 63 mph for half an hour. A list of standard equipments is flight and engine displays, harness, ballistic parachute, and retractable undercarriage, etc.”Martin Jetpack is an aircraft easiest to use and control in the world. You just need to keep the belt, roll the joy stick, and fly.” Martin introduced.
Martin said that the earliest Martin Jetpack customers are expected to be in the military and emergency response sectors around the world. Unmanned Jetpacks could be used for delivery, observation and extraction in areas and situations too dangerous for people and other aircraft to get to. Moreover, this Jetpack aircraft is also able to be used as defense vehicle, as a mobile surveillance aircraft for running counter terrorism mission. Check it out at the several images below. Till now approximately 2500 customers have signed the contract, and some royals in the Middle East and American millionaires have shown their initial enquiries.
The Martin Jetpack weighs 250 lbs only, which makes customers able to fly it without getting an FAA recognized pilot license in many European countries, including Britain. The Federal Aviation Administration, however, has not given a response officially. The Martin Aircraft says that all owners are required to pass the Martin Aircraft Company approved training program before receipt of their aircraft. Sales of Martin Jetpacks to private individuals require a period of about 18 months before delivering.