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Crazy man in peroxide jetpack makes Guinness World Record attempt

by Tim Stevens, posted May 15th 2009 at 8:42AM

Scotland's Knockhill Racing Circuit is a little too small for setting land-based speed records, but there's apparently plenty of room above it for some airborne attempts. It was the site of a new Guinness World Record attempt for the fastest man in a jetpack, with pilot Eric Scott scoring a maximum speed of 68mph, verified by a police radar gun. His propulsion is basically the same hydrogen peroxide-based tech that enabled Bond to make a daring escape in Thunderball in the '60s, which sadly still means 30 - 40 seconds maximum flying time -- faster, but a little less impressive than the 30+ miles offered by the competition. It's now up to the officials at Guinness to decide whether the record is worthy of inclusion, but you can watch the video below and decide for yourself.

[Via OhGizmo!]

Continue reading Crazy man in peroxide jetpack makes Guinness World Record attempt

Fusionman: first to cross the English Channel via jet-wing

by Stephanie Patterson, posted Sep 26th 2008 at 3:31PM

Fusionman Yves Rossy, not to be confused with Buzz Lightyear, successfully crossed the English Channel today -- the first to do so in a solo flight with jet-propelled wing. Rossy was dropped from a plane at 8,200 feet and flew 22-miles in under 10 minutes from Calais to Dover. When asked by National Geographic's Kathryn Liptrott if he was worried about risk, Rossy replied, "I'm not worried about risk, I manage risk." We've so gotta meet this guy. If you're looking to pick up one of these jet powered carbon-fiber wings for your own unspeakable mischief, expect to pay around the $190,000 mark. Rossy is eager to see these aviation wonders catch on and has designs on forming a Red Arrows-style aerobatic team one day.

[Via BBC News]

Continue reading Fusionman: first to cross the English Channel via jet-wing

New jet-pack patent propels with water

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 28th 2007 at 11:09AM

Sure, we all love jet packs. Who doesn't enjoy strapping a gigantic tube of highly flammable fuel to their back and igniting it so it can propel you hundreds of feet into the air? Well, an inventor named Raymond Li has a different idea, one which he's just managed to patent: a water-propelled rocket pack. The new design would use a system of conduits which route pressure to independently pivoting thrust nozzles, while the actual engine, pump, and dangerous gases remain floating on water in a self-contained, buoyant package. It's somewhat unclear if you'll be able to rocket over land using this device (the fact that the engine is water-based would suggest no), though it is an interesting development for jet-pack enthusiasts.

[Via Wired]

Jet packs for sale! Life insurance sold separately

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 22nd 2007 at 10:12PM

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.

Skywalker jet packs in development

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 31st 2006 at 5:19PM

No matter how played flying cars, kayaks, and other strange contraptions are, the allure of a jet pack strapped onto your back just doesn't seem to lose its luster. Rick Herron, creator of Skywalker Jets, has devised a rocket pack that weighs about 90 pounds and can propel a 200 pound pilot around the air for what is likely the most invigorating 5 minutes of their life. The crazy part is this thing actually works, and it doesn't get your backside all crispy in the process. Rick plans on producing a finalized model that has a range of about 4 miles and includes a GPS unit integrated into a HUD showing flight time and engine information among other things. A prototype build solicited a bid over 10 grand from a hopeful buyer (or helpless Star Wars fan), and this project hopefully won't end here -- Rick plans to get the device approved by the FAA and available to anxious customers as soon as possible, and the good news is that becoming a rocketeer will only cost you a cool $200,000 if it goes into production.

[Via Mobilewhack]