Although jetpack suits have been around for the last ten years, one innovator is planning on selling them for different uses including first responders, search & rescue, media, film, TV events, and military applications. Recently as shown on YouTube, Gravity Industries in the United Kingdom is finalizing their jetsuit product after multiple trials with these different customers. Time magazine featured the jetsuit as amongst the Best inventions of 2018.
Bob Larson
Ironman Jetpack Suit
Gravity Industries Ltd. founder Richard Browning is also the company’s chief test pilot. He invented the world famous “jet suit,” since 2016, which some have nicknamed the Iron Man suit, capable of full flight using five micro-gas turbines that generate over 1000bhp. When fully fueled, it has a maximum flying time of around 10-minutes and reach altitudes of 2000-feet above ground, although it’s designed for normal use at around 10 to 13-feet above ground and hover too.
For added safety, the flight pack integrates a heads up display to provide the pilot with user operating information, including top speed, fuel remaining, etc. Unlike other jet packs, this one uses additional jets attached to the hands, enabling the pilot to steer it by simply moving their arms. Currently, the jets and powerpack are affixed to the pilot with metal frames, but future versions could have all of this hardware integrated into a backpack-sized device.
The jetsuit is now available, but the price tag is not cheap at over $450,000, which includes flying lessons. You can learn more about the jetsuit at https://gravity.co. This is another great use of technology to help our planet! Bob Larson is a technologist and Marketing Director for 50 Plus.