Bond Style Jet, A Reality Now

Friday, March 5, 2010, 11:45

The James Bond style jetpack is now a reality. Invented by German entrepreneur Hermann Ramke, the creation draws its inspiration from Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear.

The jet can propel the rider in air up to the height of 50 feet (15m), has a top speed of 30mph, and can travel almost 200 miles before it needs to be refuelled. A floating pump powered by a 150 horsepower four-stroke engine sends water through a 140ft-long (43m) hose to a pair of nozzles mounted on the jet pack. The jet leaving the nozzles is sufficiently powerful to push the rider off the ground, reports the Telegraph.

The nozzles can be further directed to balance the pilot in a stable position. The jet is priced at 160,000 pounds by the website advertising it. The vehicle promises "freedom, exhilaration, [and] adventure", as claimed by the site. It continues: "The dream of personal flight is as old as mankind. In the 21st century the daring vision of Daedalus has finally come true."

This brainchild of Ramke called 'JetLev' can accommodate a pilot of height 6 feet and weight ranging from 40kg(88lbs) to 120 kg(265 lbs), while a digital fly-by-wire system controls the ride. AGENCIES