Another Pass at the Personal Jetpack 259
Engadget is reporting that dreams of a personal jet pack may not be quite as distant as you might think. Skywalker Jets, created by Rick Herron boasts a 90-pound jet pack capable of propelling a 200-pound pilot through the air for about five minutes without the hassle of charred lower extremities. The production model, which he hopes to run past the FAA soon for approval, will only cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 — so start saving your pennies.
FAA? (Score:5, Funny)
Ah, yes. The good old "If I run fast enough it looks like my feet are off the ground" ploy.
Re:FAA? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:FAA? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:FAA? (Score:5, Funny)
READ: the average slashdotter will need 2.
Re:FAA? (Score:3, Funny)
Where would the average slashdotter ever go that would take 5 whole minutes? 2.5 minutes is more than enough to get the average slashdotter to the bathroom and back, even with a side trip to the kitchen.
Re:FAA? (Score:3, Funny)
Taco Bell?
Re:FAA? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:FAA? (Score:2)
ps. there are snacks that don't give you energy nor fat, there are sweets that are without sugar and there are seconds that you can afford.
Re:FAA? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:FAA? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:FAA? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:FAA? (Score:2, Funny)
Or you can use the Dutch version where the rudder is at the other end.
I can just see it now (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Funny)
No, no. They will plummet down SCREAMING. They will SPLASH like bags of wet cement.
Back when I was still flying (Score:5, Funny)
However, the "old guys" were in the habit of a fuel check before landing.
One flight I finally responded to "fuel check" with "enough to land".
The Pilot-in-Command responded: "How much?"
Me: "Enough to land"
He: "If you did not calculate it how do you know?"
Me: "I don't have to calculate it. With or without fuel we are going to land."
Re:Back when I was still flying (Score:3, Interesting)
Ideally you perform this check a few minutes out or more, before things get real busy, so that any consequences of the tank change can be dealt with (eg. didn't get the selector in the detent, water in the other t
Re:Back when I was still flying (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:3, Funny)
AHhhhhhhhhHHHHhhhhhhhh grrrrrriiiidddd....
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Error (Score:2)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Since in N.Ireland and large parts of Scotland a 'tube' is an idiot, we tend to find that YouTube is a name that can be used as an exclamation upon seeing such a video.
Ouch.
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Their dropped weight belts can, though. Ouch!
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Watch a fellow in a jetpack run out of fuel at 60 feet and I think you'll see the difference.
In basic Jet-Pack training they will teach you "buddy fueling", in which a jet-pack flyer who is low on fuel hooks up his fuel tanks to his buddy's fuel tanks, so that they can both land safely.
Works like a charm
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Your best buddy when parachute jumping is a 'Ditter', a device next to your ear, that starts screaming in your ear when you descend too fast, too low. If you can't hear your Ditter, then you don't have to worry. Anymore...
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Informative)
Soo, to answer your question:
forgetting to check your compressed air: lose weight belt, feel stupid
forgetting to check your jet pack: crash and die.
Big difference.
Re:I can just see it now (Score:3, Informative)
Also, under the PADI system, someone with Open Water Certification is rec
Buddy breathing (Score:2)
Most divers don't go deeper than about 80ft without doing extensive checks, and doing an emergency ascent from those depths is possible (I've done an emergency ascent from 100ft). I guess parachutes are an option, if you're high enough.
Re:I can just see it now (Score:3, Funny)
I don't think that that kind of redundancy is gonna work for the jetpack...
Depends on how fat your flying partner is.
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
If the jetpack flying over you is putting out red smoke time to duck and cover
Lets see 5 min should get you halfway thru the first lesson....doh
The other problem is it will also get you HALFWAY to work, i guess you can walk the rest of the way
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Heh - I misread this as "toilet paper rolls with a red stripe at the end".
Re:I can just see it now (Score:5, Funny)
"As God is my witness, I thought geeks could fly!"
Re:I can just see it now (Score:2)
Re:I can just see it now (Score:4, Funny)
Insurance? (Score:5, Insightful)
The insurance premium will be huge.
Re:Insurance? (Score:2, Funny)
Insurance.. you think they're going to insure somebody on one of these things?
Ha...haha.. hahahahah!
I'd have a better chance at getting insurance by wielding a Wiley Coyote bat wing with an Acme rocket rammed up my keester!
Re:Insurance? (Score:2, Informative)
victim of any accident is the now dead operator.
Like small airplanes, these will not inflict major damage to most structures. I'd
agree that it is not a great thing to have fall on your head, but the screams of the
about to die pilot should be enough warning to get out of the way.
tom
Re:Insurance? (Score:2)
Last time I had a motorcycle, it was a sportbike in Texas in 1999. I paid about $110 per 6 months for liability. Has insurance really gone up that much on them? My car insurance has less than doubled in the past 10 years, so I'd expect me on a bike to still be less than $500 a year for basic liability.
Re:Insurance? (Score:2)
(Of course, I am in my mid 30s, have an excellent driving record, and I don't have a sports bike...)
Re:Insurance? (Score:3, Interesting)
Skywalker is a great name for a jetpack (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Skywalker is a great name for a jetpack (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Skywalker is a great name for a jetpack (Score:3, Interesting)
Nerds indeed.
I want the full meaning. (Score:5, Funny)
"without the hassle of charred lower extremities"
Instead you just have lightly baked lower extremeties with a touch of fried groins.
Re:I want the full meaning. (Score:2)
Great! I'll get one if Natalie Portman rolls all over my hot grits.
Yellow bar? (Score:5, Funny)
copyright George Lucas (Score:2)
That's all well and good ... (Score:5, Funny)
... but what about we Americans?
Re:That's all well and good ... (Score:2, Funny)
For range, stick with blades (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For range, stick with blades (Score:5, Funny)
5 minutes?! (Score:5, Informative)
It's not even enough to consider a form of commuting; you can barely accomplish any task that wouldn't be done easier with a helicopter/climbing ropes/scissor lift, plus the huge pricetag...
For most aircraft, FAA requires your flying vehicle to be able to get you to your destination with 30 minutes of backup fuel for delays, emergencies, or unforseen weather. Having a 5 minute flight time kind of negates all that...
At best, I see this as a backyard novelty at worst and an airshow wonder at best.
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:3, Funny)
have you seen the jeep commercial? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:have you seen the jeep commercial? (Score:2)
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:4, Insightful)
It's my dream car.
The wright brothers first flight didn't even last a minute. It was worth it.
Utility isn't the only measure of value.
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:2)
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:2)
Pardon my ignorance.... why is Bugatti selling cars at a loss?
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:2)
Basically, the Veyron is the world's greatest supercar. It has 16 cylinders, 4 turbos, 11 radiators and can do 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The image of the Veyron makes VW look great by association. It's also a technology accomplishment.
Each Veyron cost 4 million to make. They are sold for 1 million each. I'm not sure if this factors R&D or not. If R&D is included in the 4 mil per car figure, the
17 minutes *at full speed*.... (Score:4, Interesting)
PS: Jeremey Clarkson said the fuel only lasts 11 minutes at full speed, I don't know who's right, but at least he's driven one.
PPS: In Germany/France there's no speed limit on many roads. You could drive it faster in Europe than on a "speedway" (whatever that is) and the police will most likely just wave you on.
In Italy there's limits but if you're in a Bugatti they'll probably let it pass.... save the tickets for the people who drive Mercedes/BMWs.
Re:5 minutes?! (Score:2)
"Well, Dan, apparently he had a jetpack in the back of the truck and NOW HE'S CHASING THE CHANNEL 9 NEWSCOPTER..."
checklist (Score:5, Funny)
[X] Nightvision
[X] Steroids
[X] Medikit
[X] Armor
[ ] holoduke
[ ] atomic health
Re:checklist (Score:2)
$100,000 Preorder... checks in the mail! (Score:2, Interesting)
Is anyone else a little skeptical. Who in thier right mind would preorder something that hasn't even been properly demonstrated. Now if this guy managed to take off to about 30ft, hover a bit, then travel for a minute or two while performing some impressive
Re:$100,000 Preorder... checks in the mail! (Score:2)
That's why every jet pack flightsuit should come with emergency air bags. If they can use them to land Mars rovers, I don't see why they couldn't use them to land humans...
For $200k, I'll stick with airplanes... (Score:3, Insightful)
Lessee...the plane:
So why, exactly, would I spend money on this? It might have a larger coolness factor, but that'll wear off fast.
Re:For $200k, I'll stick with airplanes... (Score:5, Funny)
looking for capital investment (Score:2)
But it look like the publicity is not so much to sell units, which don't exist and may not ever exist, but to search for a partner, probably to help work though the regulatory process.
The technical detail that fails me is how controlled flight is possible when all you have is a rocket pack. I mean you go up when there is thrust, and then co
Skywalker? (Score:4, Funny)
The video is hilarious (Score:3, Funny)
Re:The video is hilarious (and a scam) (Score:3, Insightful)
To put this in context (Score:2)
Emergency Rescue (Score:2)
one other little thing (Score:2)
SO someone was willing to pay 10k for one.
Sales price will be 200k.
hmmmmmmmmm
Re:one other little thing (Score:2, Insightful)
If you read up on the history of jet/rocket packs (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:If you read up on the history of jet/rocket pac (Score:3, Insightful)
That's why you build the control algorithm into a $10 10MHz microcontroller - it can compensate faster than humans.
Come on people.... (Score:4, Informative)
P.S. It is important to note that Mr. Herron holds the trademark for "Skywalker Jets". If you're interested in finding out more about trademarks, or searching the database, go here [uspto.gov]
Discussed on rcuniverse (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3729699/mpage_1
saving pennies!!! (Score:2)
Photo in TFA (Score:2)
GPM? (Score:3, Insightful)
Nice (Score:2)
Step 2. Don't die (this is the important one)
Step 3. Profit
Re:Interesting (Score:2, Interesting)
Of course, they've been promising that baby for five years now...
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Nitpick (Score:4, Informative)
-Isaac
Re:Nitpick (Score:2)
Re:Nitpick (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
The crowd won't exactly be 10 feet off the ground. One guy will be 50 meters up and heading east to his job. Another will be 30 meters up and heading northeast. Another 100 meters up heading south, and so on and so on.
Once they've figured out the jetpack technology, they're going to have to get to work on some pretty clever crash prevention tech as well.
Re:Why not just parachute? (Score:5, Informative)
next question?
Re:Someone already has one (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Someone already has one (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Someone already has one (Score:2)
Actually, that one has a flight time of twenty to thirty seconds [wikipedia.org], which is why it's only used as a gimmick at e.g. sports arenas.
Re:For those that can't wait . . . (Score:2)