The 200-kg Martin Jetpack is priced at 1.6 million yuan. (Photo : www.pilotmix.com)
Revolutionary Iron Man-like KuangChi Martin Jetpack, touted as the world's first jetpack to be flown via remote control or by pilot, conquered the Chinese sky as it made its maiden flight on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Hailing the significant breakthrough, the public sent a loud cheer as Michael Read, Flight Operations director of the New Zealand-based Martin Aircraft Company, flew the jetpack over a water park in Shenzhen for more than five minutes.
Read also offered a remote-control demonstration before the crowd.
The Martin jetpack, set to be available in the market next year, features a 200-horsepower gasoline-powered engine that can enable it to fly nonstop for 30 minutes. Its maximum speed is 80 kilometers per hour.
Additionally, the gadget can shoot off a parachute in 0.68 second once a looming risk is detected by the system.
The aircraft also helps in addressing issues faced by its traditional counterparts as it has the ability to land on rooftops, and fly into narrow or confined areas, KuangChi Science stated. The Shenzhen-headquartered and Hong Kong-listed firm is a major shareholder of Martin Aircraft Company.
KuangChi added that those interested in steering such jetpacks should join the club, receive special training and get a flying qualification.
Moreover, the firm inked deals with four Chinese firms about the purchase of 20 jetpack trainers and a hundred jetpacks.
The jetpack, weighing 200 kilograms, can fly up to 1,500 meters high and can be deployed for medical emergency, fire rescue operations and tourism and traveling purposes.
Units are currently sold via e-commerce platform JD.com for 1.6 million yuan.
