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Private Jet Packs now for Sale
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The biggest pipedream in all of travel is taking to the air with a jet pack.
Since the 1950s, modern man has dreamed about strapping on some type of rocket to his back and jetting off to work or play. This was supposed to be the future of travel. Back in 1953 when the first jet pack was built by Bell Labs Aerospace, every ten-year old kid dreamed of the not-too-distant future, say... 1990 or 2000 when such an invention would be a simple household appliance. Just like flying cars, for example.
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down; the jet pack is no more a reality these days than a transporter.
According to Popular Mechanics, however, two companies are now trying to live up to the failed promises of science by making jet packs available to the public.
Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana, for example, is selling a $250,000 jet pack that runs on hydrogen peroxide and keeps its wearer aloft for a whopping 30 seconds. Jetpack International offers a cheaper version for $155,000 that provides three more seconds of lift. Oh boy! (Click here to see video).
Here's the interesting news, however. Both companies are promising advanced models within the year that are powered by either propane or actual jet fuel. The lift time with these more combustible fuels is expected to be 19 minutes.
Now we're talking!
Or are they just toying with us again? Please Mr. Scientist, don't crush our dreams like you did before. Little Jimmy wants to fly!!!
Filed under: Gear
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kaitlyn Sep 22nd 2008 12:24PM
this is the sickest thing ive ever seen. hot damn
adwinchristian Nov 13th 2008 6:01PM
To some extent, everyone's in the market for a jet pack. But since Bell Labs built the first rocket belt (the correct, if less exciting, name) in 1953, potential buyers have been stymied by two problems: Rocket belts aren't for sale, and even prototypes run on modern-day fuel (as opposed to whatever the Jetsons use) which means rocket belts can weigh upwards of 100 pounds, with only enough fuel to stay aloft for under a minute
shoe_jha Dec 15th 2008 8:54AM
It's amazing...Dude..Hmmm I have never seen it before....
http://www.ceruleanjet.com
Private Jets Oct 13th 2009 7:40AM
As the demand of the private jets increases, different aviation companies gives different plans to attract people towards it. This means the company which gives better plan, will gain profit.
Michael Savoy Aug 8th 2007 5:20PM
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down.
lol. Great line.
Marc Savoy Aug 9th 2007 9:58AM
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down.
lol. You're damn right.
Michael Rose Aug 8th 2007 4:44PM
FINALLY. We've got the touchscreen phones, and here come the jetpacks. Now all I need to do is buzz over to the jetpack dealership with my $155K in the back seat of my flying car...
waitasec.
Nope, darnit, still not living in the future.
adin Aug 9th 2007 1:52AM
Hopefully these'll stay *really* expensive for a while, limiting how many people can get them.
Can you imagine how many Jon Q. Publics would darwin themselves with this thing? Powerlines, running outta juice at altitude, structure collisions...the list goes on and on!
Ruth Loose Aug 9th 2007 9:20AM
Arrested Development FTW!
asktheadmin Aug 8th 2007 10:39PM
http://www.asktheadmin.com/2007/06/holy-jetpacks-batman.html
See this comparison of the TWO jetpacks that are available!
Trans Aug 8th 2007 11:46PM
The problem is simply one of energy. Without table-top fusion --or something else in that range of energy output, like nuclear isomers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_isomer), we will never have viable flying transportation. (Well okay, not unless anti-gravity is discovered).
Unfortunately, as long as Oil and Coal Barons rule our world, these will neer see the light of day, even if they are possible --maybe even already in existence.
Ken Stox Aug 9th 2007 2:09AM
The original jet packs were built by Bell Aerospace, not Bell Labs. Entirely different companies.
Tony Aug 9th 2007 8:32AM
"would darwin themselves"
Excellent. I have never seen "Darwin" converted to a verb. And with a lowercase d no less. The poor dude's totally lost his name!
Now, back to work before I get darwinned by my boss.
Dennis Gallagher Aug 9th 2007 4:34PM
Umm, I do think it really was Bell Aerospace - part of Textron (and made the X-1 and a variety of aircraft), and not Bell Labs that built the first Jet Pack.
Trollman Aug 9th 2007 11:30PM
science != technology.
UZ-4-U Aug 16th 2007 6:01PM
These look really interesting but I'm reminded of a video arcade game I once repaired that waits for potential players to fiddle with the joysticks and then displays:
"Coin Detected in Pocket" .
(This also reminds me of how to simulate Yachting by standing in a cold shower while tearing up $100 bills)
Seriously hope nobody gets hurt !!