Has anyone ever constructed a fully functional jet pack?

Question

I've been interested in personal aviation recently, such as hang-gliding, and I've always wondered, has anyone ever constructed a real working jet pack or anything related to that?

Answer 1

Yes. If you check back in time to the late 80's, or there abouts, and look in on the Olympic Games being held in LA, (I think), you would see the use of a jet pack in the opening ceremony.

The flight lasted only a short time but was graceful and controlled. Flying several hundred feet from one end of the stadium to a central landing zone.

The Military, of course, studied possible uses but because of it's limited flight time and noise further development was scrapped. Further independent development was undertaken by some rich enthusiasts, but I have heard nothing recent.

Similar types of back pack flying devices have been featured in Popular Science. My favorite has 2 large turbo fans to give vertical lift. If I had money, time and more courage, I would be zooming around the neighborhood. I am also reasonably certainly that same publication had several artical's on the Jet pack I mentioned.

Answer 2

There was one created by Bell industries (if memory serves correctly) many years ago. It was only functional for short flights. A promotional film was made using footage pieced together from numerous flights.

Answer 3

no... you'd burn your butt off

Answer 4

Yes, and besides the Rocket Belt  already described designed by Bell Labs back in the 1953 (which also appeared in a James Bond film) there is a man in Mexico who builds a modern version. Fully functional, yes, but the drawback is you cannot carry much fuel and it is used up very quickly, so the duration of flight is maybe 2-3 minutes. Thats not long for a "rocket belt" that costs around $100,000. See http://www.tecaeromex.com/

And there is this one that first flew last year.  http://www.metacafe.com/watch/468993/jet...