Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Jet Pack Runs For Hours On Water

Posted by kdawson on from the got-your-back dept.

Ponca City, We love you writes "Jet packs have been around for half a century, but there's always been one problem: they run out of fuel in around 30 seconds. Now a German company has taken the standard jet pack design, run a fat yellow hose out the back, and connected it to a small unmanned boat that houses an engine, pump, and fuel tank and sends pressurized water up the hose, where it's shot out by two nozzles just behind the wearer's shoulders. Called the JetLev-Flyer, the design purportedly can reach a height of 15 meters, a speed of 72 kph, and a range of 300 kilometers based on four hours of flying time. A digital fly-by-wire system is used to control the throttle. Future designs may achieve higher altitudes, higher top speeds, and extended range, and even travel below the water's surface. The American manufacturers claim it is 'amazingly easy to learn and operate' and they're taking orders now at $130,000 each."

6 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. are you crazy? by Dunbal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    and a range of 300 kilometers based on four hours of flying time.

          But based on the actual length of the hose, the range is more like 100 feet.

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    1. Re:are you crazy? by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Funny

      It reminds me of the electric car I invented - the one with the really really long extension cord.

      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  2. A range of 300 km? by YeeHaW_Jelte · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I assume this is dragging the boat after you.

    What exactly are the advantages over just simply using a boat?

    --

    ---
    "The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
  3. Military and coastguard applications by Kupfernigk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One of the earliest uses for balloons and large kites was to tow an elevated observer behind a ship. I guess navies will be extremely interested in this. It's much less visible than a helicopter, cheaper, and safer, yet it permits over-the-horizon observation. Think of pirates off Somalia. Currently they can easily see and avoid ships, but fast patrol boats can't see them beyond a few miles. With one of these a small intercept craft can see the pirates, while remaining almost invisible themselves. Think of it as a floating artillery OP and the uses are obvious.

    --
    From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
  4. Re:So it doesn't run on water at all? by Overkill+Nbuta · · Score: 5, Funny

    The real question should be. Does it run Linux.

  5. YouTube Video by Maddog+Batty · · Score: 5, Insightful

    YouTube video

    Most people are missing the point of this. It isn't a sensible solution, it is a FUN solution. I would love to have a go.

    --
    wot no sig