Jetpacks: How You Can Fly Like Iron Man!
The future is finally here! We’ve got tiny supercomputers in our pockets, virtual reality headsets, and now we’ve got actual jetpacks.
The idea of a personal flying machine was thought of as science fiction by comic book enthusiasts and sci-fi movie buffs. But, with the rapid advancement in technology over these past few years, companies have invested in the concept of jetpacks, and finally they are now here.
Before we get into how you can fly like Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man from the Avengers series, let us see how jetpacks came into being.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF JETPACKS
The concept of a personal flying personal was first implemented in 1960. Bell AeroSystems engineer Wendell Moore developed the ‘Bell Rocket Belt’ for the U.S. Army, but the only problem with the jetpack was that it could stay in the air for only 21 seconds.
They dropped the idea and for a few years people tried and failed at making the perfect Jetpack.
In 2008 Yves Rossy, a Swiss pilot and engineer, created one of the first actual Jetpacks and flew it over the Alps like a superhero in movies. Despite being called the ‘Rocket Man’ by the media, he did not sell the Jetpack for commercial use. The cost of making it was also very high that time.
PIONEERS IN JETPACK TECHNOLOGY
By 2013 people were introduced to water-powered Jet Packs, but ‘Martin Jetpack’, a New Zealand-based company, introduced the world to a flying machine called the “P12 Jetpack”.
The company’s P12 jetpack has a maximum speed of 74 kilometres per hour and can rise to 3,000 feet.
Another company ‘JetPack Aviation’ build the ‘JB-9’ and demonstrated its effectiveness by flying around the Statue of Liberty in 2015.The ‘JB-9’ can reach a height of 1000 Feet at a speed of 160 Kilometres Per Hour.
BENEFITS OF A JETPACK
Applications of the jetpack are wide due to its small size and ease of handling –
- Military – Using jetpacks is ideal for search, rescue and extraction of soldiers in the battlefield. Live reconnaissance, minefield avoidance, and ship-to-ship transfers are only a small example of the practical military applications for which Jetpacks can be used.
- First Responders – Jetpacks enable firefighters to reach high floors faster. Police gain an eye-in-the-sky for observation and analysis. Disaster rescue workers can reach survivors in remote or unstable locations when roads are damaged.
- Commuting – There’s no need for us all to sit in traffic. Some will drive, some will ride the bus, and some of us will fly.
- Recreation – Imagine having a lake party with your guests showing off some party tricks with jetpacks. It’s a lot of fun and people are already in talks for Jetpack racing.
HOW SAFE IS IT
The Jetpack is built around safety from the start.
Jetpacks safety system is very similar to that of a Formula One car. Plus, whenever you strap on to the machine you will have to wear a flying suit, boots and a helmet. Inside the helmet, a radio system will allow you to converse with air traffic control in the same way as pilots on airplanes.
The ‘P12’ Jetpack mentioned above, also has a parachute system which opens at very low altitude and saves both the aircraft and the pilot in case of an emergency.
HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR JETPACK?
You can fly!
Anyone can be a Rocketeer by strapping on a rental jetpack or by stepping onto a flyboard.
Companies like Fly High Skyboard, X- Jetpacks rent out their flying machines and are a popular attraction at graduation parties and corporate events abroad.
In, fact Martin Jetpacks will soon start selling its ‘P12” jetpack to the public, once it gets its permissions. It will cost $150,000 excluding special gas charges and training cost.
You will need to complete a training course of 20 days. You don’t need a Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) recognized pilots license since the jetpack is classified under the “ultralight aircraft” category.
With machines like Jetpack, you will soon be able to fulfill your dream of flying like your favourite superhero from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
