AN INVENTOR from New Zealand has unveiled what he calls 'the world's first practical jet pack' at the EAA AirVenture, the annual air show featuring experimental aircraft, held in Oshkosh, Winconsin.
Mr Glenn Martin, 48, had spent 27 years developing the device. He thinks it will start off as being a toy for the wealthy but has no idea how his invention might ultimately be used.
As thousands watched on Tuesday, his 16-year-old son, Harrison, donned a helmet, fastened himself to a prototype Martin jet pack and revved the engine.
He eased about 0.9m off the ground and hovered for 45 seconds before setting the device down.
Since the 1960s, several jet pack designs have been forged but none has flown for more than a minute.
The Martin jet pack can - in theory - fly an average-sized pilot about 48km in 30 minutes on a full 19-litre tank of gas.
It is designed to conform to the Federal Aviation Administration's definition of an ultra-light vehicle, which weighs less than 115kg and carries only one passenger.
Mr Martin plans to take it up to about 150m within six months.
