EXO-Wing is world's smallest jet -- worn like a backpack

Oh daddy, would you look at that. Forget jetpacks, we've got a deep ache in our G-Jetson-loin for this, Atair Aerospace's EXO-Wing, the world's smallest human-piloted jet. Smaller even, than the Gryphon parachute. It's on display right now in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy collection. The only thing we know about the EXO-Wing is that the twin micro-turbine-powered contraption is light enough to be worn as a backpack. Hell, we don't even know if it really works. Regardless, we've got our weekend booked... up, up and away!

P.S. The webbed creature below the EXO-Wing is sporting an Aerosuit for skydivers and Aquaman wannabes with a thing for Tom Jones.

Gallery: EXO-Wing is world's smallest jet -- worn like a backpack

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Read -- Atair's EXO-Wing
Read -- Super Heroes, Fashion and Fantasy exhibit

[dervheid @ May 14th 2008 4:31AM]

If this actually 'takes off', I anticipate they'll be hosing a few overly rich playboys with more money than sense off the tarmac/buildings/bridges etc.

[j_g_puff @ May 14th 2008 5:41AM]

Take 1 rich playboy, an Exo-wing, a sack full of hand grenades and a busy city centre and voila: instant GTA-style rampage.

[AJ @ May 14th 2008 10:22AM]

@j_g_puff:
Untill you mentioned GTA, I really thought you were going for hobgoblin

[Jordan @ May 14th 2008 1:35PM]

Who says the hobgoblin wasn't a playboy?

[Vianney @ May 14th 2008 4:38AM]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bEXxkWXncuo

It does exist and work...

[Dr Noise @ May 14th 2008 8:01AM]

This is a different product. Dan Preston and Atair are always ripping other people's designs off. Dan is great at killing people.

[Stelliot @ May 14th 2008 4:44AM]

I really do not see this working. It has no controls like rudders and ailoron. It is also unstable and incredibly dangerous looking. You need low starting speeds with devices like this

[kempcross @ May 14th 2008 10:08AM]

In the second and third pictures it looks like there are ailerons. Not sure if a rudder is necessary - maybe a shift in body weight is all you need?

[uhmm.. @ May 14th 2008 5:07AM]

that guys job sucks.

[pbase @ May 14th 2008 5:14AM]

If nothing else, It's bound to make an appearance in the next Bond film.

[Pradster @ May 14th 2008 5:23AM]

The dummy wearing the Aerosuit has a boner!!!!

[r3loaded @ May 14th 2008 6:23AM]

How empty is your life, that you actually noticed it and decided to post about it?

More importantly, why were you looking there in the first place? :P

[packetsniffer @ May 14th 2008 8:23AM]

I dunno, it does kind of jump out at you. I noticed it too, and laughed.

[edzy @ May 14th 2008 12:21PM]

anything for better maneuverability.

[JayMS @ May 14th 2008 5:47AM]

I was going to post the link, but everyone beat me to it. I'm surprised no one there at Engadget has seen this yet. Well here it is anyway.

http://www.jet-man.com/actuel.html

[Michael @ May 14th 2008 11:43AM]

The difference is that guy can't take off from the ground... I guess the idea is the posted one can, and it's smaller.

[Alan Partridge @ May 14th 2008 5:50AM]

The wingsuits work pretty well without the jet pack
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/868917/flying_human_trickspro_com_wingsuite

[p.t.splinter @ May 14th 2008 5:52AM]

Yves Rossy flew a jetpacked wing (also video):
http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html

In Germany a similar device is in the works for special forces:
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/19485

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 6:00AM]

I'd rather have a RINGBO.

[Esat Dedezade @ May 14th 2008 6:41AM]

+1

[Matias Korhonen @ May 14th 2008 6:18AM]

Now I'm no aerospace engineer (aka rocket scientist), but I'm pretty sure that won't work.


--
http://www.draco-vulgaris.net

[Earl Jr. @ May 15th 2008 6:25PM]

How do you figure? I am majoring in aerospace engineering, and I fail to see any fundamental flaw.

[Esat Dedezade @ May 14th 2008 6:40AM]

Hang on, whose to say this isnt a backpack worn like a jet?

[Cole Mitguard @ May 14th 2008 6:59AM]

This is only the coolest thing that has ever existed...

[carpecervisi @ May 14th 2008 7:08AM]

Bah. This was standard issue to Cobra in the mid-80s.

Yo Joe!

[edzy @ May 14th 2008 12:17PM]

Hey kids Strapping a Jet pack to your back without using proper safety protocols and gear can be dangerous.

Geez Thanks Hawkeye Now I know .


And knowing is half the battle!

GGGGG.IIII. JOOOEEEE!!!!!

[Adam @ May 14th 2008 7:25AM]

Mythbusters proved you couldn't do this! They can't get enough lift to get you off the ground. At least not yet.

[Ian @ May 14th 2008 2:31PM]

didnt they do that with propellers and ducts, not jet engines?

[Joel Stephen @ May 14th 2008 2:52PM]

but mythbusters is full of crap and they never actually follow the myth and feel if they cant do it no one can but it is a damn entertaining show

[T-Bone @ May 14th 2008 7:56AM]

I thought model airplanes have been using miniature jet engines for a long time.

[jon @ May 14th 2008 8:07AM]

my backpack has jets.

[seb @ May 14th 2008 8:15AM]

Today a man is just trying this kind of exowing in Bex in Switzerland
in french: http://www.lematin.ch/fr/sport/divers/l-homme-oiseau-s-envoie-en-l-air_19-154890
in english
http://www.fusionman.ch/prod/index_en.html

[lonecow @ May 14th 2008 9:02AM]

They need to have a picture of Wile E. Coyote wearing that green bat suit behind this instead of the Flash.

[Eric @ May 14th 2008 9:24AM]

What? I can't hear you over the roar of the engines... Oh, wait, they've stopped.

[Young Left @ May 14th 2008 9:33AM]

Not really sure how I feel about wearing an engine that could explode on my back. wink*

[Stem $ell @ May 14th 2008 9:50AM]

Two words: "Lithium Man"

[For2itous @ May 14th 2008 10:24AM]

Starring Robert Downer, Jr...

[Unknown @ May 14th 2008 10:17AM]

This one is crap. The FusionMan flew today in Switzerland with one that work, see:
http://is.blick.ch/img/gen/3/i/HB3ihuob_Pxgen_r_221x332.jpg

[Weeze-dog @ May 14th 2008 10:56AM]

Hmmm does anyone else think this has suicide bomber written all over it? LOL

"EXO-Wing is world's smallest jet BOMB -- worn like a backpack"

Probably cheaper than buying a missle....

[Iridium @ May 14th 2008 11:49AM]

The problem with this configuration is if you have something with enough thrust to get you off the ground you have to look where it is attached to. Shoulder straps are great for lugging it on your back but once the trust kicks in the straps go straight for your crotch.

You're wither going to get split up the middle or something is going to rip and it will fly right off your back.

The Mythbusters flying pack didn't work because they used a duct system with fan blades instead of propeller blades. Fan blades push a lot of air but do not create enough preassure behind the blade to push it forward. There is a reason why propellers are shaped like they are. A plane doesn't move forward because of the thrust of the air unless you add fuel to the air and light it in an enclosed housing turning it into a jet.

[Mikey J. @ May 14th 2008 11:51AM]

This is pretty cool. Here is a link to a guy I've seen do this before. It's a great youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-66AcTo9TU

or check out www.jet-man.com

[John @ May 14th 2008 11:58AM]

Here's a name for consideration: Darwinator.

[Xepol @ May 14th 2008 12:21PM]

I would avoid any form of flight in which your body is the landing gear.

[reuben @ May 14th 2008 12:27PM]

Aquaman wannabes with a thing for Tom Jones? No, rather guys like these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jWYIynY16k&feature=related
and for the naysayers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1p3pS2XV4A

[stevegee58 @ May 14th 2008 1:06PM]

Hey, anyone notice that Atair is an anagram of Atari?

[Paul @ May 14th 2008 1:19PM]

enter Peter Griffin banging head into wall.

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 4:40PM]

Pat
Thank you so much for teh relevant link!
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CLICK HERE: www.sporenormous.com
YOU KNOW YOUR CURIOS: www.sporenormous.com
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Put your asswipe somewhere else deusche

[Alex @ May 14th 2008 4:43PM]

p.s. curios is like curious in spammer spelling

[Iceland @ May 14th 2008 7:24PM]

Oh it is real alright - here are some shots of it in action ( over the Swiss Alps )

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Microgalleries/fusion_man/home.html?&pic=1

[Rick @ May 14th 2008 7:25PM]

I feel sorry for early learners who fly straight into a tree. This thing should have some sort of neck brace, or head protection.