Martin Jetpack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Martin Jetpack is an experimental aircraft. Though its tradename uses the phrase "jet pack," the craft uses ducted fans for lift. Martin Aircraft Company of New Zealand developed it, and they unveiled it on July 29, 2008 at the Experimental Aircraft Association's 2008 AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. The Federal Aviation Administration classifies it as an experimental ultralight airplane.

It uses a gasoline (premium) engine with two ducted fans to provide lift. Its design claims a 60 mile per hour maximum speed, an 8,000 foot flight ceiling, with a flight time about 30 minutes on a full fuel tank.

The jetpack could be available on the market as soon as 2014, and is expected to sell for approximately NZ$150,000,[1] with the initial production model aimed at military and "first responder" emergency crews such as firefighters. A more basic model for the general public may be on the market as early as 2015.[2]

History

The Martin Jetpack has been under development for over 30 years. Glenn Martin started work on it in his Christchurch garage in the 1980s.[2]

In 2008, following debut at the US Oshkosh Airshow, Martin Aircraft stated that they planned to deliver the first Martin Jetpacks to ten customers in early 2010.[3][4] As of 2010, the consumer price was expected to be US$100,000.[5]

New Zealand aviation regulatory authorities approved the Martin Jetpack for a limited set of manned flight tests in 2013.[2] As of 2013, the price of the production units is expected to be NZ$150,000[1] and sell in the US for US$150,000-250,000.[2]

Description

The Martin Jetpack is a small VTOL device with two ducted fans that provide lift and a 2.0 litre V4 piston 200-horsepower gasoline (premium) engine.[6] 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. 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. It uses the same gasoline 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 and roll are controlled by one hand, yaw and the throttle by the other.[3]

Version 2

A second 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.[2]

Safety features

In order to enhance safety, the finished product will feature a ballistic parachute and a fly-by-wire system whereby the pilot sends instructions to a computer that then interprets them and smoothly flies the craft. It can also be programmed to fly only a few meters above the ground and/or fly within certain limits.[citation needed]

Flight testing

On 29 May 2011, the Martin Jetpack successfully completed a remotely-controlled unmanned test flight to 1,500 m (5,000ft) 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.[2]

Specifications

Data from Company brouchure[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Length: 5 ft (1.52 m)
  • Wingspan: 5 ft 6 in (1.67 m)
  • Height: 5 ft (1.52 m)
  • Empty weight: 250 lb (114 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 535 lb (243 kg)
  • Useful load: more than 280 lb (127 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Martin Aircraft Company 2-litre (120 cu in) two-stroke V-4 engine, 200 hp (150 kw)
  • Propellers: Carbon / Kevlar composite propeller, 2 per engine
    • Propeller diameter: 1.7 ft (52 cm)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 Kmph)
  • Range: 31.5 miles (50.7 km)at max speed of 63 mph
  • Service ceiling: 8,000 ft (2.44 km) estimated hover out of ground effect

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Personal jetpack gets Civil Aviation Authority approval". TVNZ.co.nz. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Personal jetpack gets flight permit for manned test". Phys.org News. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Murph, Darren (29 July 2008). "Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video". Engadget. Retrieved 10 December 2008. 
  4. ↑ Hilkevitch, Jon (29 July 2008). "Jet pack makes maiden flight at Oshkosh air show". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 10 December 2008. 
  5. ↑ "FAQs The Martin Jetpack". Retrieved 29 August 2010. 
  6. ↑ Boyle, Alan (29 July 2008). "Is this your jetpack?". MSNBC. Retrieved 10 December 2008. 
  7. ↑ "Kiwi invented Jetpack reaches new heights". TVNZ. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
  8. ↑ "Martin Jetpack 5000ft flight - highlights". NZHerald. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
  9. ↑ Technical Information

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.