Jet Packs Now Available (Group Buy Maybe?)

[Old Moparz]

As a kid I remember seeing James Bond fly in a jet pack & wanted one. I still want one, but I don't have six figures laying around.  

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/436/martin-aircrafts-commercial-jetpack-looks-to-take-flight/

(It's too long of a story to post all of it here, so click the link if you want to read everything.)

The Martin jetpack, a commercially developed jetpack, may soon be heading to a sky near you.

It is about time man flew among the birds – alone. We may not have the homes on the moon, or the flying cars that our totally reasonable childhood imaginations ensured us would be waiting for us when we grew up, but with a little luck and a lot of money, we might soon be able to scratch "jetpack" off of our bucket lists.

Imagine one day soon, you kiss the spouse good bye, walk the kids off to the school bus, then you prepare for the commute to work. But rather than sitting in traffic and squeezing your steering wheel in frustration as the car in front of you apparently believes the old adage of "speed kills", so they are driving 15 MPH under the speed limit, you simply throw on your jetpack, terrify a few birds, and make it to work in record time. Sure there might be a few details that you would need to work out, like the practicalities on your hygiene after ripping through the wind with an engine strapped to your back, or the fact that you are betting your life on the reliability of the vehicle, but we are talking about a jetpack- practicalities be damned!

Although it may sound more sci-fi than sci-fact, a commercially developed jetpack is actually being eyed for mass production, with plans to eventually release it to the public. Let that sink in for a second. Jetpacks are real, and you might be able to buy one someday soon. Or at least see them among the skies.

First, it is important to note that these are reusable and maintainable jetpacks, and that while pricey, they could be landing in garages someday soon. There have been jetpacks available to the public- at least in theory- but shy of Evil Knievel, there really wasn't much call for a device you strapped to your back that shot out flames and had the better-than-average chance of exploding. Not that there were a high instances of the rocket propelled jetpacks blowing up, but it does seem a bit like flicking fate in the eye and daring death to come and get some.

The jetpack in question is being developed by the Martin Aircraft Company which was founded in 1998 and operates out of New Zealand. Despite what may be the oddest coincidence in the aviation community- an industry not typically known for its love of hilarious coincidences- the Martin Aircraft Company was founded by Glenn Neal Martin, not to be confused with Glenn Luther Martin, whose "Glenn L. Martin Company" became the "Martin" in "Lockheed Martin". In 2003, Martin Aircraft Company received its first round of funding from the Venture capital group, No 8 Ventures, and formed a board of directors with the goal of growing the company through the revenue produced from the Martin jetpack.

Currently Martin Aircraft Company is fulfilling an order for 500 jetpacks to be used by emergency services, as well as four unnamed defense companies. As of right now, the company's focus is to produce jetpacks specifically for governmental purchase, but they are seeking funding to build at least one new factory with the purpose of producing jetpacks for the average (extremely rich) customer.

[dkn1997]

I'd give my charger, my house and everything else I ever earned for one of those! 

[68X426]

Tim Wilson has a great tune out called "Jet Pack". How timely. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1SCu9yiBlo

Warning: adult language will be heard.

[dodgecharger-fan]

I was in a restaurant on Monday night and while watching the opening highlight reel of the football game, saw a guy fly in to a football stadium in a jet pack.

It was a quick flash that I caught just as the screen changed to another image. It was funny, because I thought, "That was kinda neat." Then, it dawned on me - "Hey wait a second!!"
I thought it was military doing some sort of spectacular entrance to kick off a game, but then thought if they had those, would they be showing them off?
Then I just drank my beer and didn't think of it 'til now.

Did anyone else share my delusion on Monday night?

[Tilar]

Tim Wilson has a great tune out called "Jet Pack". How timely. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1SCu9yiBlo

Warning: adult language will be heard.

 

[Old Moparz]

Homemade water bottle jet pack.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3C92HwaLG0