Martin Jetpack

The Martin Jetpack was a single-person aircraft under development. Despite its name, it did not use a jet pack as such, but ducted fans for lift. Martin Aircraft Company of New Zealand (not related to Glenn L. Martin Company, the US company also known as Martin Aircraft) developed it, and they unveiled it on 29 July 2008, at the Experimental Aircraft Association's 2008 AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, US. The US Federal Aviation Administration classified it as an experimental ultralight airplane.

Martin Jetpack
The Martin Jetpack flying at AirVenture 2008
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin New Zealand
Manufacturer Martin Aircraft Co.
Designer Glenn Martin
Introduction 2008
Retired 2019
Status company closed
Unit cost
US$250,000-US$350,000[1]

It used a gasoline (petrol) engine with two ducted fans to provide lift. It was specified to have a maximum speed of 40 km/h (25 mph), a flight ceiling of 2,500 ft (760 m), a range of 15–20 km (9.5–12.5 mi) and endurance of about 28 minutes flight. Empty weight was 200 kg (440 lb). The first customers were said to be first responders.

History

The Martin Jetpack has been under development for over 30 years. Glenn Neal Martin[2] (not to be confused with Glenn L. Martin, of US Martin Aircraft) started work on it in his Christchurch garage in the 1980s.[3]

New Zealand aviation regulatory authorities approved the Martin Jetpack for a limited set of manned flight tests in 2013.[3] As of 2016, the price of the commercial production units is expected to be US$250,000[1] and sell in the US for US$250,000–350,000 subject to local tax and customization requirements.[3]

Glenn Martin suddenly resigned on 4 June 2015 after investing 30 years in the product.

In August 2016, CEO Pete Coker was replaced by the former CFO James West. The company closed its doors in 2019, with KuangChi Science, Martin Aircraft's 52% majority shareholder, now looking for a buyer for the few remaining assets.

Description

The Martin Jetpack is a small VTOL device with two ducted fans that provide lift and a 2.0-litre (120 cu in) V4 piston 200-horsepower (150 kW) gasoline engine.[4] Although its pilot straps onto it and does not sit, the device cannot be classed as a backpack device because it is too large to be worn while walking. However, the Martin Jetpack does not meet the Federal Aviation Administration's classification of an ultralight aircraft: it meets weight and fuel restrictions, but it cannot meet the power-off stall speed requirement. The intention is to create a specific classification for the jetpack – it uses the same petrol 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, which, along with the articulated head complicate flying, construction, and maintenance enormously. The Martin Jetpack is designed to be torque neutral – it has no tail rotor, no collective, no articulating or foot pedals – and this design simplifies flying dramatically. Pitch, roll and yaw are controlled by one hand, height by the other.[5]

Version P12

A further version of the Martin Jetpack has been built to prepare for manned flight testing. The new prototype, with the descriptor P12, has several design improvements over earlier versions, including lowering the position of the Martin Jetpack's ducts, which has reportedly resulted in much better maneuverability.[3] It also has a fully integrated fly by wire system. P12 will be developed into a First Responder production model. A lighter personal jetpack should be available in 2017.

Safety features

In order to enhance safety, the finished product will feature a low opening ballistic parachute along with carbon fibre landing gear and pilot module.[6]

Flight testing

On 29 May 2011, the Martin Jetpack successfully completed a remotely controlled unmanned test flight to 1,500 m (5,000 ft) above sea level, and carried out a successful test of its ballistic parachute.[7][8]

A second version, designated prototype P12, of the Martin Jetpack received approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to begin manned flight testing in August 2013.[3] According to an investor update from August 2016, additional funding will be required to complete the certification process.

Potential markets

In 2015, the company as part of its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:MJP) stated that the jetpack could be available on the market as in late 2016; it was expected to sell for approximately US$250,000.[1][9] However, the delivery date has again been postponed.

Governments are expected to be a large share of initial consumers. The first production model aimed at military and first responder emergency crews, such as police, firefighters, and medical personnel, enabling them to have faster response times, to reach areas inaccessible by road, and to get to the top of tall buildings quickly.[9] Interested buyers include the government of the United Arab Emirates;[10] it was reported in November 2015 that Dubai (part of the UAE) had placed an initial order for twenty units, simulators, and training, for delivery in 2016.

Specifications

Data from Company Web site[11]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 120 kg (265 lb) payload
  • Length: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
  • Width: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
  • Empty weight: 200 kg (441 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 320 kg (705 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 11.89 US gal (9.90 imp gal; 45.0 l)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Martin Aircraft Company V4 V-4 piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp) at 6000 rpm[12]
  • Main rotor diameter: 2× 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in)
  • Main rotor area: 1 m2 (11 sq ft) Carbon/Kevlar composite ducted fans

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 56 km/h (35 mph, 30 kn) at 152 m (500 ft) minimum altitude
  • Range: 33.7 km (20.9 mi, 18.2 nmi)
  • Endurance: 30 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 910 m (3,000 ft) AMSL
  • Rate of climb: 2.0 m/s (400 ft/min)
  • Disk loading: 320 kg/m2 (66 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.467 kW/kg (0.284 hp/lb)
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See also

References
  1. "Personal jetpack gets Civil Aviation Authority approval". TVNZ.co.nz. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  2. "Personal Jetpack Coming Soon". Forbes. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  3. "Personal jetpack gets flight permit for manned test". Phys.org News. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  4. Boyle, Alan (29 July 2008). "Is this your jetpack?". Cosmic Log. MSNBC. Archived from the original on 2010-01-07.
  5. Murph, Darren (29 July 2008). "Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video". Engadget. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  6. Martin Aircraft, News, accessdate=12 November 2015 Archived 9 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Kiwi invented Jetpack reaches new heights". TVNZ. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02.
  8. "Martin Jetpack 5000ft flight - highlights". NZHerald. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-09-12.
  9. "Dubai Airshow: Jetpacks finally set for lift off?". BBC News. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  10. "Buy Your Own Jetpack for $200,000?". VR World. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  11. "Technical". Martin Aviation. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  12. "Technical". Martin Aviation. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
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