'Jet Pack' gets a bit of altitude [Archive]

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bogan

3rd June 2011, 12:32

So firstly I think the correct term is ducted fan pack, secondly, it's still pretty wicked.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-invented-jetpack-reaches-new-heights-4197115/video

Reckon production for them will take off? (pun intended)

willytheekid

3rd June 2011, 13:31

Personally, I truly hope glen and his team not only reach a sales point....but go onto to riches and fame!
These guys have done what the rest of the world has dreamed about for decades, tried to build since WWII and failed to do so.....and along comes a kiwi to show them how its done (again!).
Love the fact the U.S media deamed it a failure and gave him shit about his creation.....now they have to eat those words and show respect where respect is due!.
Thanks for posting the video link bogan :yes:....I wonder how many other proud kiwis will sit there watching that vid and glens machine climbing higher n higher, thinking...go....go...GO! fly u bastard!! GOOO!!
Another great moment in New Zealand history, and we should all be damn proud of Glen and his team for not giving in and finding a way to make it work...after 28yrs of dreaming and effort.....good on ya glen!

The Pastor

3rd June 2011, 14:22

Personally, I truly hope glen and his team not only reach a sales point....but go onto to riches and fame!
These guys have done what the rest of the world has dreamed about for decades, tried to build since WWII and failed to do so.....and along comes a kiwi to how them how its done (again!).
Love the fact the U.S media deamed it a failure and gave him shit about his creation.....now they have to eat those words and show respect where respect is due!.
Thanks for posting the video link bogan :yes:....I wonder how many other proud kiwis will sit there watching that vid and glens machine climbing higher n higher, thinking...go....go...GO! fly u bastard!! GOOO!!
Another great moment in New Zealand history, and we should all be damn proud of Glen and his team for not giving in and finding a way to make it work...after 28yrs of dreaming and effort.....good on ya glen!

whats cooler, you own flying car or a freeking jet pack, hell yeah.

kinda like the motorbikes of aviation.

willytheekid

3rd June 2011, 14:34

whats cooler, you own flying car or a freeking jet pack, hell yeah.

kinda like the motorbikes of aviation.

MMMMMM flying motorcycle!...now THAT would be cool!!! -like the one in the new startrek movie...badarse lookin cop that guy....Now..."Pull over citizen!"

3rd June 2011, 14:35

I have to admit when I saw the earlier 'attempts' at flying I scoffed at the feeble achievement. Two feet off the ground requiring two Blokes to hold the training wheels wasn't flying. It reminded me of the flag bearers walking in front of the first buses to avoid hitting people.

BUT hey watching the full coverage of the unaided flight on the TV last weekend was a revelation. I was totally blown away by the success and 5000 ft !!! Well, I believe it was 3500ft above the ground level that was at 2000ft above sea level. But's who's counting now. IT FLYS, IT FLYS! Well done. And the parachute worked. Amazing to do the first real test flight and pass both tests; it flies and it comes down safely in an emergency engine failure.

Imagine landing at the local petrol station and filling up you jet pack and flying off again. Yes, it runs on ordinary petrol.

Makes you proud to be Kiwi

sil3nt

3rd June 2011, 14:48

Swoop

3rd June 2011, 15:32

Well, I believe it was 3500ft above the ground level that was at 2000ft above sea level.
That location is definately not 2000ft AMSL.
1200 would be closer to the correct reading.

I laughed when they said "secret location" on the tv3 article.

bogan

3rd June 2011, 19:24

Unaided? It was a dummy and almost all of their flights are done by remote control. The only flights controlled by the pilot strapped to the thing have been very low altitude (a metre or two) and only indoor i believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TBndcBjQFM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAJOs3XkTYQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxHL55BIjj8

The pack still has a long way to go.

The pack is brilliant, it's people that have a long way to go. This flight demonstrated the potential of the design. The people will be the problem, safety concerns will be a biggie, as I don't think this even has the potential to benefit from autogyro as helicopters do, the term drop like a stone springs to mind. Getting people able to competently fly the thing will be another challenge. In any event, it's damn fine work, and I would like to see it get some use.

NinjaNanna

3rd June 2011, 20:38

very cool, but I certainly wouldn't want to be coming down under that uncontrolled parachute. Sure its better than freefalling to your death but god only know's where you'll land and in what state.

FJRider

3rd June 2011, 20:52

very cool, but I certainly wouldn't want to be coming down under that uncontrolled parachute. Sure its better than freefalling to your death but god only know's where you'll land and in what state.

It was "uncontrolled" ... because there was nobody on board to control it ...

Steerable chutes that the operator could control ... would not be that big an issue ...

Considering the amount of funds invested in the project so far ... and the possible returns ...

Grumph

4th June 2011, 06:31

Good luck with the Jet pack.....I want to see the motor in a bike !!!!

It's a V4 using Honda CR500 barrels......

imdying

4th June 2011, 09:08

They're not testing it with people because that's not what the system is really designed for.

<img src="http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/images/terminator05-hunterkiller.jpg" />

:innocent:

schrodingers cat

4th June 2011, 09:52

12 million investment to date (apparently)
Need to sell a lot of units to recoup that.

jazfender

4th June 2011, 15:32

Read somewhere that the LAPD have ordered 10,000 and are in the process of hiring 1,000 staff to operate them.

cops on jetpacks. we're fucked.

jazfender

4th June 2011, 15:34

when pigs fly... obvious.

NZsarge

4th June 2011, 16:18

Friggin' mint! Well done that guy and his crew. :niceone:

Edbear

4th June 2011, 20:06

I bet some of them would have really wanted to be flying it personally! I reckon it's a fabulous effort and deserves all the kudos it can get!

oldrider

6th June 2011, 17:34

Friggin' mint! Well done that guy and his crew. :niceone:

Plus one! ... that last demo (with the parachute) was very good, made the thing look useful and relatively safe! Respect for the guy!

NZsarge

6th June 2011, 21:26

Yeah those doubters in the American media can go suck on that!

Oakie

6th June 2011, 22:24

12 million investment to date (apparently)
Need to sell a lot of units to recoup that.

As soon as they sell it to the US military they will recoup big time and you better believe that they will be one of the first knocking on the door.

schrodingers cat

8th June 2011, 19:41

As soon as they sell it to the US military they will recoup big time and you better believe that they will be one of the first knocking on the door.

I wish them well. Anyone prepared to dangle that much dosh above the dunny deserves to win big IF...