TECHNOLOGY

• Safety:  Extensive research and test results helped us develop many safety features and “best practice” operating procedures. Although falling from height or at speed is inherently risky, from our experience falling from the JETLEV-FLYER is rare, and platform diving from 10 meters has been widely practiced for over a century with excellent safety records. Central to our safety design is using water as a safety net and enforcing low flight ceilings by restricting hose length. The jetpack’s 5-point quick-release harness, protective back rest and head support, safety saddle and inherent floatation are just some of the many other safety features.
• High power-to-weight ratio: Traditional designs of airplanes suffer from low thrust-to-weight ratios which limit their performance and agility. Even F/A-18 E/F fighter jets can barely overcome the force of gravity. To achieve a dramatic improvement in this ratio, we decided to locate the propulsion source on a separate boat-like unit, and transmit low pressure, high flow water to the jetpack through a supply hose and generate thrusts by nozzle reaction force.

• Inherent stability and effortless control:  Our design incorporates built-in stability features to keep the pilot upright and return the jetpack to its centered position automatically. Even though the jetpack can generate upwards of 500 lbf (2220 N) of thrust for lift and propulsion, the flight controls are isolated from that thrust and only take a few ounces of effort to adjust.
• Simple, intuitive flight controls:  Fly-by-wire digital throttle control; nozzles angles determine allocation of thrust between lift and propulsion (forward, neutral or reverse); differential nozzle deflection generates yaw moments; and weight shifting from side-to-side generates roll moments.
• Flexible supply hose/tether:  A flexible water supply hose delivers power to the jetpack with pressurized water. It also serves as the tether, enforces a flight ceiling, discourages the pilot from flying over land, acts as a stabilizer, dampens vibrations, and maintains forward heading stability of the jetpack in flight.
• Recreational use:  We decided at the outset that jetpacks are not practical for commuting and should primarily be designed for recreation including short term rentals. For that purpose, they must also be very simple to learn and operate. Intuitive flight controls, inherent stability, and an effective training system means that most student pilots can learn to fly solo within a few minutes of in-water instructions.

• Jetpack dry weight (approx.): 30 lbs (14 kg)
• Maximum Thrust: 430 lbf (1,900 N)
• Thrust-to-weight (150-lb or 68 kg pilot, at takeoff):
  2.3 : 1
• Measured top speed (150-lb or 68 kg pilot):  22 mph (35 km/h)
• Hose length: 33 ft (10 m)
• Flight ceiling (measured at feet level): 28 feet (8.5 m)
• Duration at wide open throttle (approx.)  1 hour
• Duration at cruising speed (approx.)   1.5-2 hours