Martin Jetpack Soaring High – 5000 Ft Flight Demonstrated

Martin Jetpack Soaring High 

       The quest for setting man free of the gravitational pull has been going on for centuries. And it’s only lately, that the modern machines are making the dream come true. In 1981 with a lot of enthusiasm, Glenn Martin, student at New Zealand University started building a jetpack. After years of rigorous work of his research and development team, this jetpack, which is now called the ‘Martin Jetpack’ was revealed to the world on 29th July, 2008.

        After that there was no looking back. The Martin Aircraft Company has conducted more than a couple of thousands of successful test flights for this unmanned remote controlled (UAV) and manned Jetpack. The company got worldwide recognition last year when it was listed in Time magazine’s 50 Best Inventions. The consumer price is expected to be US$100,000.

       The Martin Jetpack is now known as the world’s first practical jetpack. It has a gasoline engine that drives twin ducted fans. This mechanism produce ssufficient thrust to lift the aircraft and a pilot in vertical takeoff and landing, enabling sustained flight.

      In a recent flight demonstration, Martin Jetpack was flown to about 5000 ft. and brought down from this height to show the concept of the ballistic parachute as an emergency safety system.

    The aircraft was flown by James via radio control in a chasing helicopter – also demonstrating the ability of the technology to apply to UAV applications. Jetson, Martin Aircraft Company’s weighted dummy was on board, and the parachute was placed out front for visibility and weight balancing.

          The video features inventor Glenn Martin and RC pilot James Bowker. The jetpack ascended initially at 4m/s (800ft/min) and the climb took about 6 minutes. The parachute was deployed at around 3000ft above ground level. The flight lasted only 10 minutes and the aircraft sustained some damage on impact.