A Jetpack In Every Home

What’s in the water in New Zealand? Just last week we were talking about a flying hovercraft. Now we have a working and stable jetpack! And not just any jetpack, this puppy goes for a measly $90,000 and is available for commercial sale later this year.

Essentially an ultralight aircraft, the Martin Jetpack doesn’t require a pilot’s license to use. Fortunately, the New Zealand-based company does require you take its training program before buying. The jetpack generates 600 pounds of thrust from its two jet engines.

How high does it go? Well, let’s just say it has a built in ballistic parachute to bring down the user and machine safely should engine failure occur “at a reasonable height”. Yeah, I’m in.

To keep flying easy, one hand controls pitch and roll while the other controls throttle. It is also self-righting to put the user in a hover.

The jetpack runs on plain old premium gasoline, so you’re welcome to impress the world as you pull up to the Shell station strapped to one of these puppies.

Sure, $90,000 is pretty expensive, but compared to a custom sports car, it’s doable. So, what are you waiting for? Plunk down your 10% deposit and let’s get flying. I have grand plans for my morning commute.

[Martin Aircraft via Wired]