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2013/08/13 18:59:54
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
This could be yours by 2015. At least something will be ready in time for Back to the Future day.
Article...
Telegraph wrote:Ever dreamed of owning your own jetpack? It could soon become reality after developers of a personalised jetpack said aviation regulators had issued a flying permit for the device, which could be on sale in just two years.
Peter Coker, chief executive of New Zealand developer Martin Aircraft, said the certification was a significant milestone in the development of the jetpack, as it will allow for manned test flights. "For us it's a very important step because it moves it out of what I call a dream into something which I believe we're now in a position to commercialise and take forward very quickly," Coker told AFP.
The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority said the jetpack had now been issued with an experimental flight permit for development test flying, which allows someone to pilot the aircraft. It said the test flights would be subject to strict safety requirements, with flights not allowed any higher than 20 feet (six metres) above the ground or 25 feet above water. The flights are also limited to test areas over uninhabited land.
Coker said a specialised version of the jetpack designed for the military and "first responder" emergency crews such as firefighters should be ready for delivery by mid-2014. A simpler model aimed at the general public is expected to be on the market in 2015. The price of your own personal flying machine is estimated at US$150,000-250,000, although Coker said the cost was likely to come down over time. It comes with a rocket-propelled parachute if anything goes wrong.
Inspired by childhood television shows such as "Thunderbirds" and "Lost in Space", inventor Glenn Martin set out in the early 1980s to create a jetpack suitable for everyday use by ordinary people with no specialist pilot training. His jetpack consists of a pair of cylinders containing propulsion fans attached to a free-standing carbon-fibre frame. The pilot backs into the frame, straps himself in and controls the wingless jetpack with two joysticks. While the jetpack's concept is simple enough - Time magazine likened it to two enormous leaf blowers welded together - fine-tuning it into an aircraft that is safe and easy to use has been a lengthy process.
Coker said the latest prototype, the P12, incorporated huge design improvements over earlier versions. "Changing the position of the jetpack's ducts has resulted in a quantum leap in performance over the previous prototype, especially in terms of the aircraft's manoeuvrability," he said.
In May 2011, a remote control Martin jetpack carrying a dummy pilot climbed to 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) above the South Island's Canterbury Plains as its creator watched anxiously from a helicopter hovering nearby.
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
2013/08/13 19:07:14
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
In two years time, that will be the cost of a 5 man Space Marine Assault Squad
So for the price of a GW army at that time we could BE a 5 man Assault Squad?
I'm sold.
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
2013/08/13 19:16:27
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
In two years time, that will be the cost of a 5 man Space Marine Assault Squad
So for the price of a GW army at that time we could BE a 5 man Assault Squad?
I'm sold.
But then you're only getting 1 model!
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FREEDOM!!!
- d-usa
2013/08/13 20:23:06
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Thats cheaper than some luxury cars.
I predict that within 20 years it will be affordable for many middle class people, insurance costs not withstanding.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Finally! I've been looking forward for a new way of cleaning out the gene-pool a bit, and what better way than flaming idiots raining down from the skies thanks to malfunctioning packs, or people falling from the heavens because they forgot they couldn't fly for very long?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/13 21:57:39
Mandorallen turned back toward the insolently sneering baron. 'My Lord,' The great knight said distantly, 'I find thy face apelike and thy form misshapen. Thy beard, moreover, is an offence against decency, resembling more closely the scabrous fur which doth decorate the hinder portion of a mongrel dog than a proper adornment for a human face. Is it possibly that thy mother, seized by some wild lechery, did dally at some time past with a randy goat?' - Mimbrate Knight Protector Mandorallen.
Excerpt from "Seeress of Kell", Book Five of The Malloreon series by David Eddings.
"You need not fear us, unless you are a dark heart, a vile one who preys on the innocent; I promise, you can’t hide forever in the empty darkness, for we will hunt you down like the animals you are, and pull you into the very bowels of hell." Iron - Within Temptation
2013/08/14 02:32:08
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
There are enough people that can't drive a car worth a damn. I somehow don't feel happy at the thought of these morons operating something that can crash and burn from the sky.
2013/08/14 02:33:51
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Relapse wrote: There are enough people that can't drive a car worth a damn. I somehow don't feel happy at the thought of these morons operating something that can crash and burn from the sky.
Population control. There, I said it.
Reality is a nice place to visit, but I'd hate to live there.
Manchu wrote:I'm a Catholic. We eat our God.
Due to work, I can usually only ship any sales or trades out on Saturday morning. Please trade/purchase with this in mind.
2013/08/14 02:35:23
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Relapse wrote: There are enough people that can't drive a car worth a damn. I somehow don't feel happy at the thought of these morons operating something that can crash and burn from the sky.
Personally, I'll be excited when Justin Bieber acquires one
I also predict that you will require a special license to operate them, although that depends on how quick legislation reacts to this.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Terrible, it's going to be a slow moving "Hover Pack" as opposed to a jet pack....
The trick to making a jet pack isn't getting the person in the air...... it's getting them to land safely. Testing with ducks* hasn't proved effective, but my own jetpack shall be in useage in two years time as well.
Mine will be much cheaper, faster, and funner. To power it, you have to scream WAAAGH! as loud as you can, or it won't work.
.... Maybe that's why Ducks aren't the best choice....
*no ducks were harmed in the making of this post
I've never feared Death or Dying. I've only feared never Trying.
2013/08/14 07:01:18
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Relapse wrote: There are enough people that can't drive a car worth a damn. I somehow don't feel happy at the thought of these morons operating something that can crash and burn from the sky.
Population control. There, I said it.
Sigh... if only.
2013/08/14 07:27:55
Subject: Re:Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Slarg232 wrote: Terrible, it's going to be a slow moving "Hover Pack" as opposed to a jet pack....
The trick to making a jet pack isn't getting the person in the air...... it's getting them to land safely. Testing with ducks* hasn't proved effective, but my own jetpack shall be in useage in two years time as well.
Mine will be much cheaper, faster, and funner. To power it, you have to scream WAAAGH! as loud as you can, or it won't work.
.... Maybe that's why Ducks aren't the best choice....
*no ducks were harmed in the making of this post
Please, harm the ducks. They're a bunch of dicks anyhow.
2013/08/14 09:02:28
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
The biggest problem with jetpacks to date is that they use an awful lot of fuel and can only go for short flights before that runs out... the force required to lift you off the ground thereby *fighting gravity* is much greater than that needed to fight friction on a vehicle that is already aided by aerodynamic design and, y'know, having wheels.
So no, this won't be anywhere near affordable unless you want the thing to just sit there like a trophy, and you'll still need a car if you need one now. I imagine if used by emergency services it would be only in situations where it'll allow responders to get higher up much quicker than your traditional ladder/stairs/elevator - like a burning building for instance.
Flashman - any chance you could post the link to the original article please?
"Hard pressed on my right. My centre is yielding. Impossible to manoeuvre. Situation excellent. I am attacking." - General Ferdinand Foch
2013/08/14 16:33:15
Subject: Re:Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Slarg232 wrote: Terrible, it's going to be a slow moving "Hover Pack" as opposed to a jet pack....
The trick to making a jet pack isn't getting the person in the air...... it's getting them to land safely. Testing with ducks* hasn't proved effective, but my own jetpack shall be in useage in two years time as well.
Mine will be much cheaper, faster, and funner. To power it, you have to scream WAAAGH! as loud as you can, or it won't work.
.... Maybe that's why Ducks aren't the best choice....
*no ducks were harmed in the making of this post
Please, harm the ducks. They're a bunch of dicks anyhow.
Especially them damn Canadian Geese.. o.O mean mother f'ers.
Canadians are generally laidback folks... did the Geese suck up all the meaness through osmosis?
Live Ork, Be Ork. or D'Ork!
2013/08/14 16:54:34
Subject: Re:Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
2013/08/15 07:49:29
Subject: Re:Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
$150-250,000 for that? I guess it will sell to gullible rich people, but for the rest of us $150-250k will buy a very nice airplane.
There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
2013/08/18 22:24:58
Subject: Re:Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Yeah, its a lot of money now. But in 20 years the cost will likely come down significantly, along with improvements in the device itself.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Avatar 720 wrote: Finally! I've been looking forward for a new way of cleaning out the gene-pool a bit, and what better way than flaming idiots raining down from the skies thanks to malfunctioning packs, or people falling from the heavens because they forgot they couldn't fly for very long?
I don't care if they have AA cover . I'm not going out to fix them, when they breakdown.
SEP field engaged.
Its hard to be awesome, when your playing with little plastic men. Welcome to Fantasy 40k
If you think your important, in the great scheme of things. Do the water test.
Put your hands in a bucket of warm water,
then pull them out fast. The size of the hole shows how important you are.
I think we should roll some dice, to see if we should roll some dice, To decide if all this dice rolling is good for the game.
2013/08/20 15:33:16
Subject: Jump Packs two years away from sale to general public
"Hard pressed on my right. My centre is yielding. Impossible to manoeuvre. Situation excellent. I am attacking." - General Ferdinand Foch 
