High Occupancy Vehicle lanes (aka HOV lanes) may ease traffic congestion a wee bit as commuters choose to cram a few extra souls into their cars and trucks for the morning ride to work, but we think we have an even better idea: personal jetpacks. And we're not alone.

The Martin Aircraft Company has created its own jetpack for public use, and the units are apparently for sale to anyone who can pass the company's own internal training sessions. That's right, this sucker is classified as an Ultralight and therefore requires no FAA pilot's license. What's more, Martin says the Jetpack costs the same as a high-end car or motorcycle. Sign us up!

For what it's worth, the Martin Jetpack is a jet in name only – much the same way that a jetski isn't really powered by a jet engine, the Martin apparatus actually uses a 2.0-liter V-four two-stroke engine that drives twin carbon/kevlar rotors. With 600-pounds of thrust, Martin claims its Jetpack can accommodate pilots up to 280 pounds.

The five gallons of fuel carried onboard are enough to get you 31.5 miles in any single direction... as the crow flies, as they say. Plus, just imagine how lovely everything will look at the Jetpack's 8,000-foot ceiling. So, maybe it's not an automobile, but it's just too darn cool to ignore.


http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/04/l...tpack-w-video/

There is video of the guy flying with the pack on

 

Where do you park this jetpack, when you reach your destination? Also you can only go 31 miles then you need another fill up. If it could get possible around 400 miles per fill up then it might be worth it.

 

31 miles GOING OVER ROADS. Its from geometry....the shortest distance between two points is always a straight line. You can not take a straight route to work. That would slash commute times. I think development of this for commuting would be far in the distance but applications for the military are probably endless

 

HOT!


WANT!


Just curious if it comes equipped with an emergency parachute... would kinda suck dropping 8,000 ft after an engine/rotor failure...

 

It looks like a Death Trap...

 

I am afraid of height, I can't fly this thing.

 

I can see it now ... people are going to fly themselves into the sides of buildings, other people, they'll forget to fuel it and they'll fall out of the sky.

I think I'm in favor of this, seems like Darwinism could have a bit of a comeback.

 

The head-on collisions will be as tragic as head-on's of 2 motorcyles (which have happened).

 

Using a device like this is often far more than simply strapping it on, starting it up, and making like a bird. Since you don't have flight instrumentation or any practical way of carrying/reading aeronautical charts, you strictly have to avoid bad weather, strong winds, fog/low ceilings, and unfamiliar areas where you don't recognize any landmarks or features for navigation. It's essentially a fair-weather machine for ideal conditions.

 

Almost reminds me of this guy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-66AcTo9TU

 

kind of like motorcycle riders. Thinning the herd

Its an amazing creation but I think it would be awesome for military development. In terms of commuting, I think it would be like boat drivers. They can go anywhere at any speed with no lanes and no rules other than not to hit anything

 

Oh man this is awesome! In a couple of years who knows how this might advance! I myself might own one later in life haha, they look like a bunch of fun too!

 

The military has been experimenting with various one-man individual flying platforms since the 1950's.









Again, only under ideal conditions.

 

pretty cool but I won't be seen sporting one any time soon!