We could all be flying around on jet packs sometime soon—we just have to pony up $150,000.
New Zealand and Australian media reported Tuesday that the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted approval to the Martin Aircraft Company for an “Experimental Flight Permit,” which could pave the way for broad commercial sales.
"The test flying was subject to strict limitations covering required safety procedures," the CAA said, according to TVNZ. "Other restrictions included that it may not be flown more than 20 feet above the ground or 25 feet above water and is limited to two specific test flight areas over uninhabited land."
The Martin Jetpack first debuted its original model in 2008, and at least one Ars forum reader found it in 2010.
Although not technically a "jet pack," the company’s latest P12 model is a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which uses two ducted fans to provide lift and a 2.0 liter V4 piston 200-horsepower gasoline engine. It’s designed to reach a maximum altitude of 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) and reach a cruising speed of 56 kilometers per hour (35 mph).
"It's essentially a motorbike in the sky, so I imagine anyone who has a snowmobile or a jet ski, this is going to be something they're going to want in their garage," CEO Peter Coker told the New Zealand Herald.
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