BeechTalk - BT - JB-9 Jetpack makes debut flying around the Statue of Liberty

Username Protected · **Posted:** 10 Nov 2015, 19:43

http://www.gizmag.com/jetpack-aviation- ... ght/40286/

[youtube]https://youtu.be/gCYSWyHDpfU[/youtube]

Username Protected · **Posted:** 11 Nov 2015, 00:21

These things have an endurance that is something on the order of 30 sec to a minute, I think. Some guy around here who built one also said it was becoming incredibly hard to get the fuel.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 13:37

Not this one. This is a turbofan powered unit that runs on JP-4 or kero or diesel...

This is a quantum leap forward in this type of flight. Unlike the Martin Jet Pack, which is powered by a two-stroke engine, this unit has a pair of ultra small turbofan units. Carrying about 10 gallons of fuel and burning about a gallon a minute, depending on pilot weight, the unit has about a ten minute endurance.

I applaud the engineering effort. Still pretty scary to me, but I really admire these folks.

--paul

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 13:48

I wonder how well it flies on one engine. :scratch:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 13:56

That would be the, "still scary to me.." part. :bugeye:

--paul

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 14:55

I'll bet the emergency descent is fun.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 18:01

Pull the chute.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Nov 2015, 21:14

Username Protected wrote:

Pull the chute.

Part of the pre landing check list.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Nov 2015, 00:43

The issues with these was and always be the landing gear. Strapped on, fueled and ready to fly the weight is probably at least 150lbs - probably closer to 200lbs. Small jets have a power to thrust to weight of about 5x - so if you are generating 400lbs of thrust the engine weight alone is going to be 80-100lbs - then add structure and a minimum 70lbs of fuel (SFC around 2, fuel burn about 1.5/gal/min - 8 minutes 12 gallons - 84lbs) - and you're pretty heavy. Try putting your wife on your back and jumping from a kitchen chair. And when you do fall over - you are smashing two jet engines whose compressors spin at 80,000 rpm with jet fuel all strapped to your back smashing on to the ground. Like any kid growing up in the 60's - it was my dream to fly one of these - when I saw Thunderball and the first season of Lost in Space - but this would be extremely hazardous and extremely limited utility. The bell jet pack was probably safer - even though it only had 25 seconds of flight - because it was much lighter.