H2Whoa! Jetpack that launches users 30ft in the air powered by water pressure unveiled

H2Whoa! Jetpack that launches users 30ft in the air powered by water pressure unveiled

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:47 PM on 12th February 2009

An extraordinary jetpack was unveiled today that launches the wearer into the air powered only by water.

The JetLev-Flyer powers out two strong jets of water, allowing the wearer to take off and soar nearly 30ft above the ground.

Using the most powerful, 300 horse power jetpack, the wearer can fly at speeds of up to 62mph, perform tight turns and hover.

Its makers say flights can last up to two hours at 'cruising speed' or around one hour going flat out.


The JetLev-Flyer can travel up to 62mph

They are working on future models which will be able to fly for five hours or more than 180 miles and as high as 50ft.

Three versions of the JetLev-Flyer have been launched. The 155 horse power version which costs ?87,000, a 215hp version for ?104,000 pounds and for ?113,000 you can snap up the 300hp pack.

The bizarre jetpack works by firing out high-pressure jets of water fed to it by a 33ft long yellow hose which is attached to an engine unit.

This engine unit - which contains a 4-stroke engine - is mounted on a floating, boat-like unit which is pulled along in the water like a trailer.

By strapping into the JetLev-Flyer and sitting on the attached unicycle seat, you can take off out of a river, lake or harbour.

The jetpack is the result of nine years development and its designers believe it will become a 'watersport sensation of incomparable fascination'.


The newly launched jetpack enables the wearer to fly - powered by water

It is the brainchild of Raymond Li, a Chinese Canadian living in St. John's, Newfoundland, who had the idea in 2000.

Since 2003 he, and later his Jetlev Development Corporation, have been conducting feasibility studies and concept development in Canada.

The first unmanned thrust tests of the jetpack prototype were conducted in January 2005, followed by the first tethered manned flight test in Florida in March 2005.

Now the first production versions of the Jet-Lev Flyer have been released, developed under licence by MS Watersports of Hamburg, Germany.

JetLev spokesman Lars Ramcke said it was possible for a novice to fly solo within minutes, manoeuvring by shifting their weight from side to side and using digital controls to alter the direction of the pack's water nozzles.

He added: 'We decided at the outset that jetpacks are not practical for commuting and should primarily be designed for recreation. They must also be very simple to learn and operate.

'So far we have had a lot of interest and orders from commercial enterprises and also rich guys from Russia and Monte Carlo who want to use them as a toy.'

He said flying with a Jetlev could give users a feeling of weightlessness, the freedom to move in three-dimensions and the sensation of suspended height.

'Few have experienced the sensation of being suspended up to three-storeys high with no visible support,' he said.

'As safe as basketball'

And Mr Ramcke insisted flying with the jetpack was no more dangerous than playing basketball.

He added: '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 metres 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.'

Mr Ramcke suggested the JatLev-Flyer could also be used as James Bond-like military device, helping troops to overpower pirates.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1143262/H2Whoa-Jetpack-launches-users-30ft-air-powered-water-pressure-unveiled.html