So are you tired of airport delays and paying for checked baggage – strap on a Martin Jetpack and fly yourself. Normally, aircraft like this one are not available to anyone and everyone, this one will be commercially available. With that said, make sure your credit card isn’t max out because these things are priced right around $86,000.

So why call this device a Jetpack?
Well, by both common usage and science it is a jet. We already have jet ski and jet boat. I do not believe that an aviation engineer will be able to convince all those owners to start calling their devices a ‘water pump propelled boats’. In the end we found that 95% plus of people call it a jetpack when they see it, so why fight that?

The Martin Jetpack is a small helicopter-like device, with two ducted fans that provide lift. It is powered by a 2.0 litre V-4 piston 200-horsepower gasoline (premium) engine. The pilot straps himself onto it, and does not sit. It does not have a jet turbine or rocket motor, however the Jet in Jetpack refers to the production of two jets of air from its ducted fans. The Federal Aviation Administration has classified it as an experimental ultralight airplane. It uses the same gasoline used in cars, is relatively easy to fly, and is cheaper to maintain and operate then other ultralight aircraft.

My Thoughts: To me this thing just seems down right cool. Of course to date, no one has seen the Martin Jetpack fly more that 3 to 4 feet above the ground. In their defence, they are trying to get the aircraft approved by the FAA so they just don’t want any catastrophic events to halt the project. I don’t know if I’m going to be getting one of these this year but I might just have to at least head to New Zealand to try out one of their jetpack tours. Up, up and away!

Dork Stuff

  • Dimensions – Height: 5 ft; Width: 5.5 ft; Length: 5 ft
  • Structure – Carbon fiber composite
  • Empty weight – 250 lbs (excluding safety equipment)
  • Gross weight – 535 lbs
  • Useful (Pilot) Load – 280 lbs+
  • Maximum thrust – 600 lbs+
  • Fuel Capacity – 5 US gallons (as required by FAA Part 103, Ultralight Regulations)
  • Fuel burn – 10.0 gph
  • Engine – Martin Aircraft 2.0 L V4 2 stroke, rated at 200 hp (150 kw). Max 6000 rpm.
  • Electrical system – 12 V DC Battery, starter and 360 w alternator
  • Rotor – Carbon / Kevlar composite diameter 1.7 ft
  • Max – 7058 rpm
  • Range – 31.5 miles (at max speed of 63 mph as required by FAA part 103).
  • Hover in ground effect – 8000 ft (estimated)
  • Hover above ground effect – 8000 ft (estimated)
  • Standard Equipment – Flight and Engine displays, Harness, Ballistic Parachute, Retractable undercarriage and Energy absorbing undercarriage
  • Classification – Meets the requirements of the FAA Part 103, Ultralight Regulations
  • Pilot License – The Ultralight class does not require an FAA pilots license.

Availability: Late part of 2010, but you can be put on the pre-order list by going to martinjetpack.com and click on the Contact link.