Glenn Martin invented the jetpack at his New Zealand home over three decades ago, and now that jetpack has received a flying permit and can undergo its first manned test flight.

Peter Coker, chief executive of Martin Aircraft said:

For us it’s a very important step because it moves it out of what I call a dream into something which I believe we’re now in a position to commercialise and take forward very quickly.

Martin’s jetpack was designed to be used by laypeople, and does not require specialist pilot training. His design has also been modified, making it safer and easier for users to operate. Coker said:

Changing the position of the jetpack’s ducts has resulted in a quantum leap in performance over the previous prototype, especially in terms of the aircraft’s manoeuvrability.

A version designed for military and first-responder emergency services is expected in 2014, while the version for the public will be available from 2015. It will obviously have a very pretty hefty price tag, ranging from R1,4 million to R2,4 million.

[Source: Sky News, YouTube]