The jetpack has gripped the cultural imagination for nearly a century.
The iconic image of an individual-sized aircraft strapped conveniently to one’s back has made enough scintillating cameos throughout the years — in everything from pulp magazines to U.S. Army demonstrations to James Bond movies — that its existence (or ubiquity, even) has evolved in the public consciousness into something of an expectation.
Are Jetpacks Real?
Yes, jetpacks are real. However, they remain impractical for commercial use and are limited to military testing and one-off demonstrations.
Yet, despite their prominence in fiction, jetpacks have not made the major aviation shift that popular media predicted. Safety risks, high fuel consumption and extreme noise levels prevent these devices from reaching mass adoption.
How Jetpacks Work
At the most basic level, jetpacks use small rocket engines or turbines to produce enough downward thrust to lift a person off the ground. JetPack Aviation’s JB-11 jetpack, for instance, utilizes six engines (three on each side of the operator) to produce around 530 pounds of thrust, and is capable of reaching speeds north of 200 miles per hour and theoretical altitudes of over 18,000 feet.
Because the engines sit so close to the operator, developers must ensure the systems remain safe for human usage. This involves using special materials along with implementing cooling systems and power management systems to prevent overheating. At the same time, developers have to fine-tune their engines to produce sufficient power to sustain flight for sustained periods.
“It’s not the most fuel-efficient form of propulsion,” said David Mayman, founder and chief executive of JetPack Aviation, a company that makes jetpacks and flying motorcycles. “But it produces an extraordinary amount of power for the size and weight of the engine, which is obviously what you’re looking for if you’re talking about strapping something on your back.”
To control a jetpack, each engine is managed by a fuel pump and computer. To take off, the pilot increases engine thrust using a switch on the right-side handle. The handle’s computer translates this mechanical signal into a digital one and tells a master computer, which then sends that information to the individual engine computers, ordering it to keep the thrust balanced on each side.
Done correctly, this setup will propel the pilot into the air in a stabilized, upright position for up to 10 to 12 minutes. The toughest tech challenge, Mayman said, was balancing the thrust from the engine so the jetpack could maintain control. Even the slightest bit of lopsidedness could send the jetpack veering. To account for this, Mayman’s crew had to build a computer system that would accurately and quickly balance the thrust across the engines.
Why Jetpacks Aren’t Common Yet
Jetpacks date back to the early twentieth century, and possibly further in science fiction. However, the first controlled flight of a functional jetpack occurred in 1961, when Ball Aerospace piloted a prototype for the U.S. Army. Yet, with some 65 years of advancements, development in jetpack technology has stalled.
The 1961 test flight showcased pilots wearing a bulky harness with industrial pipes and pressurized tanks that were controlled by two handles. With the harness attached to their backs, the pilots vaulted over military trucks, reaching a max height of 10 feet. Although manufacturers advertise today’s systems as capable of propelling human operators thousands of feet off the ground, pilots have only tested them at much lower altitudes. For example, the JB11 had a test flight at 30 feet of altitude and Gravity Industries has tested its jet suit at heights between 10 and 13 feet.
The lack of advancements in engine propulsion is one of the primary reasons jetpacks remain a novelty. To stay airborne longer or fly higher, pilots need more fuel. However, this creates engineering catch-22 scenarios as more fuel adds more weight, requiring even more thrust for liftoff.
“It’s no longer an issue of the stabilization systems, it’s not the software system, it’s not the code,” Mayman said of the holdup to getting jetpacks into the mainstream. “It comes down to the propulsion technology.”
He’s referring to the less-than-ideal circumstances that govern the power source that pushes jetpacks in the air. Electric power would be a potential solution, but, so far, it hasn’t been feasible, Mayman said, because batteries can’t hold enough energy.
“It’s no longer an issue of the stabilization systems, it’s not the software system, it’s not the code.”
“It comes down to having fuel with greater energy density than kerosene or diesel, which is really tough,” he said. “Introducing a more efficient turbine engine is what will do it. But there’s probably a couple of hundred million dollars worth of research [required].”
Mayman, however, is confident engineers will overcome this challenge within the next few years. At that point, he believes, electric propulsion may be possible.
“I do see the energy density of batteries improving. It’s not improving extraordinarily quickly, but it is improving. And once we see a sort of a step change in the battery chemistry, then maybe we get the kind of [power] we need rather than [what] we’re stuck with at the moment.”
There’s another reason, too. More efficient power requires more money. Historically, the companies that specialize in building these sorts of engines have had little financial incentive to speed up the capabilities of engines that small.
Lately, though, that’s changed. There’s been an uptick in commercial and military investments in drone engine technology. And jetpacks, it is believed, can piggyback off the advancements being made there.
Where Are Jetpacks Used Today?
Jetpacks are being used in a handful of real-world industries — primarily in specialized tasks where things like helicopters, ladders or boats are less practical.
Military and Defense
Organizations in the defense space are experimenting with jetpacks for rapid mobility in difficult terrain. For example Gravity Industries has demonstrated its jet suit can be used to board ships, reach rooftops and navigate mountainous environments. The U.S. military is also evaluating whether jetpacks could help with reconnaissance, search-and-rescue or tactical operations.
Search and Rescue
Rescue teams around the world are testing jetpacks to reach injured hikers or stranded people faster than traditional response tactics. In mountainous areas, a paramedic using a jetpack could arrive in minutes, removing the need for a long climb or helicopter. For example, Gravity Industries has worked with rescue organizations in the U.K. to explore emergency medical response use cases.
Entertainment
Jetpacks are increasingly used in things like air shows, sporting events, concerts and stunt shows, where pilots perform choreographed flights to create dramatic aerial visuals.
Recreation and Tourism
Water-powered jetpacks — often called “flyboards” or “hydroflight” devices — are popular activities at beach destinations and resorts. These systems use water pressure connected to a personal watercraft to lift riders above lakes or oceans.
Will Jetpacks Ever Be Used For Commuting?
Although jetpacks have successfully taken flight in controlled environments and are commercially available — albeit at a starting cost of $300,000 — they’re still a long way off from becoming a practical form of transportation.
One of the biggest hurdles preventing their use for commuting remains the limited flight time. To be a practical form of transportation, fuel usage would need to significantly improve to provide longer flight times capable of getting someone to and from work. Manufacturers would likely also need to implement more safety features into their vehicles to protect operators before reaching mass availability.
But even if engineers overcome such obstacles, there are still regulations preventing their use in public.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registers jetpacks in two categories in the United States. One is the ultralight category, which means individuals don’t need a pilot’s license to operate a jetpack but can not operate in public spaces or fly at high speeds. The second category covers more powerful jetpacks and is an experimental certification. The experimental certification does require a pilot license but limits their use in public areas.
“I can’t say whether that will be in the next two to three years or five years,” said Mayman. “But it definitely will be something that the average member of the public will be able to operate at some point.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are jetpacks legal in the U.S.?
Yes, jetpacks are legal in the United States,. but with some restrictions. Personal jetpacks are categorized as ultralight vehicles and can only be flown during daylight hours and outside of controlled airspace in non-congested areas.
How much do jetpacks cost?
Turbine-powered jetpacks can cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Some manufacturers also require individuals to go through extensive training to purchase a jetpack.
How high can a jetpack fly?
JetPack Aviation’s JB11 has a theoretical flight ceiling of 15,000 to 18,000 feet. However, real-world test flights have only occurred at heights between 10 to 150 feet above ground.
How long does jetpack fuel last?
Fuel consumption remains the biggest hurdle for jetbacks. Currently, the most advanced turbine systems can sustain flight for just eight to ten minutes.
Who makes real jetpacks today?
There are a few key players dominating the turbine-powered jetpack market:
- Gravity Industries: Founded by Richard Browning, it makes a multi-engine suit where turbines are strapped to your arms and back.
- JetPack Aviation: Produces the JB series jetpacks, which are a more traditional backpack-style design.
- Zapata: Its Flyboard Air is a jet-powered platform the pilot stands on, and was famously used to cross the English Channel back in 2019.
