Just last week, it was reported that two men, ex-fighter pilot Yves Rossy (also known as Jetman) and parachuter Vince Reffet strapped on their jetpacks and flew in formation with an Emirates Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner over in Dubai.
It seems as though pilot David Mayman wants to challenge Jetman for some jaw-dropping stunts - he posted a video on YouTube just last week where he is seen flying near Liberty Island in New York.
Mashable aptly reports:
"Granted, it's a very different type of jetpack than the jet-propelled wing worn by Jetman, whose adrenaline-pumped videos we wrote about on several occasions. But that's not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, Jetpack Aviation, the company behind the JB-9 jetpack seen in this latest video, claims their creation is 'the world's only true jetpack.'
"That's because their definition of a jetpack is 'a jet turbine powered backpack that is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), is extremely light and small and can easily be carried around by the pilot.' While that doesn't allow for the crazy stunts performed by the Jetman team, it's actually far closer to something an ordinary person (and not a professional stuntman or pilot) could one day use."
Based on previous videos posted by Jetpack Aviation on their YouTube channel, the JB-9 actually works real swimmingly.
In fact, take offs, landings, and even steering through the airspace seems like a breeze.Not only that, but the website also claims that the JB-9 is "inherently stable" even when "dynamic maneuvers" are being performed.
There's a lot more in store for the future of jetpacks. In fact, they're already working on the JB-10, which is in its early testing stages. The company boasts that their latest device should be able to fly 10,000 feet in altitude, with speeds over 100 mph.
Unfortunately, none of Jetpack Aviation's devices are for sale at the moment.
