Competition To Develop A Working Jetpack Carries A $2 Million Prize

The jetpack has been something of a "Holy Grail" of aviation. And while some have come close, developing a practical, working jetpack has also been an engineering challenge that has yet to be solved.

Enter Boeing and the GoFly Challenge, which calls on all inventors and doers to make human flight a reality by building the world’s first personal flying device for anyone, anywhere. Over the next two years, teams will compete to win $2,000,000 in prizes, creating revolutionary technology and accessing the top minds in aerospace.

According to the GoFly website, the device must be safe, useful, and thrilling, but the design and function of the device is up to teams, which will have access to the top names in aerospace and aviation, engineering, design, finance, and law. The GoFly Masters and Mentors are available to help all teams as they bring their devices to life, offering one-on-one guidance and regular seminars.

The GoFly Prize will culminate in a Final Fly-off where all teams will debut their personal flying devices—and make history.

Boeing has come onboard as the "Grand Sponsor" for the challenge. "The GoFly Prize competition aligns with our company's goals of inspiring people across the globe and changing the world through aerospace innovations, said Greg Hyslop, Boeing's chief technical officer. "We're Excited to see how the visionaries of the future will take on this ambitious and exciting challenge."

Additional sponsors include The Vertical Flight Technical Society, AUVSI, AIAA, SAE International, GAMA, The Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Royal Aeronautical Society, EAA and AOPA.

(Image from file)

FMI: goflyprize.com