Sun, Jul 06, 2008
A Secretive Project To Make First Public Debut At Aeroshell
Square
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has always been a location for some
pretty amazing feats and firsts, and this year’s event
promises to impress yet again with an appearance of a new personal
flying machine shrouded in mystery.
On Tuesday, July 29 the Martin Jetpack will be introduced for
its first public debut. At 0930, the company will launch the
personal jetpack from Aeroshell Square. According to a release
issued last week, the creators are calling it “the most
eagerly awaited personal aircraft man ever dreamed
about.”
If you’ve never heard of the Martin Jetpack, you’re
not alone. Not much is known about the company at this point and if
you visit their website, the only information available is the date
of the Oshkosh unveiling. According to EAA spokesman Dick
Knapinski, the company asked to keep the project under wraps to
build public anticipation. Sources say the project has been in
development for around 27 years and the company is located in the
Australia/New Zealand part of the world -- where there are lots of
secluded areas to test such a secret program.
The developers of the “World’s First Practical
Jetpack” state that their innovation is distinguished by a
unique, patented technology. Capable of flying 100 times longer
than the Bell Rocket Belt of the 1960s, it uses regular gasoline
and complies with FAA Ultralight regulations.
Don’t confuse this project with others you may have seen.
The Martin Jetpack is not associated in any way with the venture by
Jet Pack International.
The allure of the jetpack has captured public fancy for many
years as it offers the ultimate in portable personal flying. The
1965 James Bond film Thunderball popularized the idea and as a
result there have been many civilian and military ventures trying
to perfect the concept -- though flight times have rarely lasted
more than a minute.
Perhaps you’ll just need to be there at Oshkosh to see for
yourself!
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