Over recent months, the Martin Jetpack has successfully
undertaken an extensive unmanned flying program,
preceding its next manned flight, which will occur in
New Zealand skies later this year.
Coker's first task as CEO will be to drive the
new flight demonstration and testing program, enabling
the company to prove its technology and undertake
further manned flight in a range of challenging and
diverse conditions.
The Jetpack is a small VTOL device, with two ducted fans
that provide lift. It is powered by a 2.0 liter V4
piston 200-horsepower gasoline (premium) engine. The
pilot straps onto it and does not sit. The device is too
large to be worn while walking, so it cannot be classed
as a backpack device. It does not have a jet turbine or
rocket motor; the "Jet" in "Jetpack" refers to the
production of two jets of air from its ducted fans. The
Martin Jetpack does not meet the Federal Aviation
Administration's classification of an ultralight
aircraft; it meets weight and fuel restrictions, but
cannot meet the power-off stall speed requirement.
It
uses the same gasoline used in cars, is relatively easy
to fly, and is cheaper to maintain and operate than
other ultralight aircraft. Most helicopters require a
tail rotor to counteract the rotor torque; this and the
articulated head complicate flying, construction and
maintenance enormously. The Jetpack is designed to be
torque neutral there is no tail rotor, no collective, no
articulating or foot pedals and this simplifies flying
dramatically. Pitch and roll are controlled by one hand,
yaw and the throttle by the other.
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