Martin Jetpack
The Martin Jetpack by Martin Aircraft Co. of New Zealand was unveiled at the Experimental Aircraft Association's 2008 AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. Despite its name, it is not a jetpack but a small helicopter. Unlike previous devices called jetpacks, the Martin Jetpack is the first to be considered a practical device. It has been under development for over 27 years and uses a V-4 piston 200-horsepower gasoline (premium) engine with two ducted fans to provide lift. Theoretically it can reach 8,000 feet altitude, reach 60 miles per hour, and fly for about 30 minutes on a full fuel tank. It costs about $100,000. Martin Aircraft Co. plans to deliver the first ten units in 2009.[1][2][3]
It was unveiled at the 2008 AirVenture[1] in Oshkosh in Wisconsin, USA on July 29, 2008. It is classified by the FAA as an experimental ultralight airplane.
Safety
Interested buyers will need to complete about 15 hours of training. It is equipped with a ballistic parachute.Light helicopters do not come equipped with ballistic parachutes and can only survive an engine failure if it occurs at a reasonable height. Light, fixed-wing aircraft require a large field to land in and are designed to land at relatively high speed. A small footprint VTOL aircraft like our Jetpack does not have these limitations. In conjunction with our VTOL consultants we feel that we can make the Martin Jetpack significantly safer than any Jetpack yet built. The Martin Jetpack is equipped with a 'Ballistic Parachute'. If something untoward happens the pilot pulls a toggle and a small propellant (similar to one used in a car airbag) is fired rapidly deploying a parachute. The pilot, Jetpack and parachute descend as one. The use of 'ballistic parachutes' is now quite common in general aviation. For example, they are standard equipment on the Cirrus series of single engine aircraft. .[4]
Description
The Martin Jetpack, despite its name, is a small helicopter-like device, with two ducted fans that provide lift, powered by a gasoline-powered V-4 piston engine. The pilot straps himself onto it, and does not sit. It is much too big for him to walk about wearing it, so it cannot be classed as a backpack device. It does not have a jet or rocket motor, so it cannot be classed as a jetpack. The Federal Aviation Administration has classified it as an experimental ultralight airplane.It uses the same gasoline used in cars. It is easy to fly.It is cheaper to maintain and operate then other ultralite aircraft.Helicopters require a tail rotor to counteract the rotor torque; this and the articulated head complicate flying, construction and maintenance enormously. The Jetpack is designed to be Torque Neutral - there is no tail rotor, no collective, no articulating head or foot pedals. This simplifies flying dramatically. Pitch and roll are controlled by one hand. Yaw and the throttle by the other. Doe [2]
Related
References
- ^ World's First Practical Jetpack to be Launched at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, 2008 AirVenure Press Release, date accessed 29 July 2008
- ^ a b Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video, Engaget, Darren Murph, posted Jul 29th 2008 at 1:20PM
- ^ Jet pack makes maiden flight at Oshkosh air show, By Jon Hilkevitch, Chicago Tribune 4:52 PM CDT, July 29, 2008, date accessed 29 July 2008]
- ^ Is this your jetpack?, MSNBC, July 29, 2008 10:30 AM by Alan Boyle, date accessed 29 July, 2008
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