Jet packs for sale! Life insurance sold separately

It looks like those still bemoaning the lack of readily-available jet packs can now finally get a (brief) taste of the 21st century they once envisioned, as Popular Mechanics reports that two different wearable flying contraptions are now available for sale. Coming from Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana and Jetpack International, the jet packs will each give you about 30 seconds of flight time, with Jetpack International's model boasting a slight advantage in speed, topping out at 70 mph. Somewhat reassuringly, each also comes complete with the necessary flight training, although we wouldn't expect any less given the $250,000 and $155,000 price tags. Those who take the plunge may be suffering from some buyer's remorse before too long, however, as Jetpack International is reportedly working on a new model that'll give you a full 19 minutes of flight time.

[scott @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:03PM]

I believe the Chinese are working on one that will give sustained flight for approx 2.5 hrs using the cream filling between Oreo cookies... It should be out the middle of 2009...

[RijilV @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:29PM]

70mph? 30seconds? Now that sounds like a great idea!

[uclatommy @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:45PM]

I'm going to spend all 30 seconds going up. Then I'll switch to my parachute. Man, its going to be fun!

[Spyvie @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:47PM]

I saw the Go Fast guy at parade in Denver, he was VERY cautious and never got more than about 15' off the ground.

[joakim @ Jun 23rd 2007 9:25AM]

the problem with these things has always been the fuel carrying capacity. models with circa 30 seconds flytime have been about for a while, though perhaps not in any big production numbers. i do wonder what that 19-minute one is about, though. is it micro-fusion, finally?

[Paul @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:52PM]

That thing is awesome. It may only last 30 seconds, but it'll be the best 30 seconds of your life!

[IndustrialJones @ Jun 23rd 2007 4:52AM]

Is that what you tell all the ladies?

[jman315 @ Aug 28th 2007 3:40PM]

ahaha ^

[Sebastian @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:56PM]

*Queue the James Bond theme*

[Big @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:04PM]

Completely ridiculous.

You can never max one of these out simply because if you try to accelerate to the pack's limit, you'd end up going too fast to slow down (slowing down takes fuel too) and cause yourself a lateral impact that would snap your legs or break your ankles.

Go to high and risk a situation where landing is difficult and dangerous.

Its not as easy as you think - just opening a parachute...a parachute takes TIME to open. HAve you ever heard of a Base Jumper jumping from less than 200 Feet? That's about the height you could expect to reach in one of these.

[Ted @ Jun 23rd 2007 1:13AM]

Why?

[David MacMillan @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:14PM]

"That thing is awesome. It may only last 30 seconds, but it'll be the best 30 seconds of your life!"

It'll also be the last 30 seconds of your life....

[Constable Odo @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:24PM]

Look up in the air! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Supe..... Naw, it's just some doofus with a jet pack.

[TheGuy @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:30PM]

In honor of this post, I shall created an edited version of a section of the Elton John song "Rocket Man" to a more fitting version, "Jetpack Man":

"And I think it's gonna be a [30 seconds] time
Till [myself] brings me [back to the ground] again to find
I'm not the man [99% of people believing spending at least $155,000 on a Jetpack with little practical use is f@#king insane] think i am at home
Oh no no no I'm a [Jetpack] man
[Jetpack] man [expelling] out his [hydrogen peroxide] up here alone"

It just doesn't feel the same as the original.

[XGM @ Jun 22nd 2007 11:44PM]

Hey look ma, I can fly !!! Wait, why is the ground accelerating towards me ?

[tekdroid @ Jun 23rd 2007 12:43AM]

personal flight is the next big thing, but I'm afraid to say jetpacks aren't it.

(and many laws and security devices will change should it become common)

[biomi @ Jun 23rd 2007 1:03AM]

Necessary training? What do they think they are selling, a Segway?

[david @ Jun 23rd 2007 2:17AM]

i expect to see this in the next james bond movie.

[Major Malfunction @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:10AM]

Thunderball

[logyk @ Jun 23rd 2007 2:46AM]

30 seconds of a pure exhilirating rush followed by Dissappointment and months of pain... sounds like my first time..

[takeme @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:46AM]

Wait until later this year when one for "only" 200,000$ comes with 19 min flight time and 80 mph! wish I had the money looks to work good check video --->

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/06/21/welcome-to-the-future-heres-your-jetpack/

[Jhon @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:48AM]

see http://photo2text.com/

[L. Cyphre @ Jun 23rd 2007 4:42AM]

Powered exoskeletons, jetpacks...
Starship Troopers, here we come!

[hackaroxp @ Jun 23rd 2007 11:20AM]

Look, this thing round and big that is coming towards me! Round, round.... Grrr... ound! It's that! GROUND!

I wonder if they are they gonna be ma friends?!

*pufff*

[James @ Jun 23rd 2007 9:12AM]

Wait wait, Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana? Didn't they send a whale to the moon? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Willzyx

[Sam Meyer @ Jun 24th 2007 7:21PM]

This was in the newest Popular Mechanics the next on with 19 minute flight time is more dangerous than these. Because it will use Jet fuel for propulsion while these use hydrogen peroxide.

[skagbag @ Jun 28th 2007 9:35AM]

you will have enough time to say capitan she is getting ready to blow 30 seckonds thats not enough time to fart!!

[skagbag @ Jun 27th 2007 9:17PM]

capitan she is getting ready to blow,30 seckonds that isent even time to fart!

[Scott @ Jun 28th 2007 5:20AM]

Ahhh,.. The famous two last words before someone dies.....

WATCH THIS !!!

[RP @ Jun 27th 2007 11:10PM]

Still waiting for my wish, as if wishes come true! Hybrid power for 2000 lb. cars. Why not here? RP

[Pepper White @ Jun 28th 2007 12:17AM]

For a 155K I could buy a really nice Ferrari 360, and those seat two. For 250k I could buy the Ferrari 360 and something more pedestrian like a Porsche 911 and have enough change for hair plugs and liposuction!

[Gpsjr @ Jun 28th 2007 12:28AM]

Just remember, The Wright brothers didn't fly very far on their first flight... now we can fly around the world.

[mitchell hirsch @ Jun 28th 2007 2:42AM]

i was thinking there may be an actual use for these. the one that lasts 19 minutes that is. could it be used to escape from a burning hi-rise by "walking" down the side of building?

[Danny @ Jun 28th 2007 2:58AM]

At 70mph for a maximum of 30 seconds, the farthest anyone could get is just over 1/2 a mile. The question is, how fast can one of the things get to 70mph? That will reduce how far you go. The jetpack user will be lucky if he can get 1/2 a mile from liftoff to landing.

And at those prices, I'd rather buy a condo/co-op or a brand new car with all the trimmings, and have plenty left over for things like gas and insurance.

[Dan @ Jun 28th 2007 5:44AM]

I'll wait for the better jetpacks. A half-hour
would be awesome and safer! And this is where you'd really want to buy american made.