'Jet Pack' gets a bit of altitude

**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...-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

....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

Originally Posted by willytheekid

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

....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

Originally Posted by renegade master

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!"

MD · 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

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.

**Swoop** · 3rd June 2011, 15:32

Originally Posted by MD

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

Originally Posted by sil3nt

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

Originally Posted by NinjaNanna

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 ...