Jetpacks? This Mexican Rocketeer's Been Flying Them In His Backyard For Years

Posted by Motherboard on Friday, Feb 26, 2010

About darn time: a New Zealand-based Martin Aircraft Company is going to start selling commercial jetpacks at $75,000 a pop. The 200-horsepower dual-propeller packs can “reach heights of up to 2,400 metres and top speeds of 60mph” and are finally going to give the power of flight to any old Shmoe without a pilot’s license.

But to be fair, they aren’t exactly jet packs. They’re powered by two propellers to create lift—not by jets (video here). For the real thing, you need to go down to Mexico.

Juan Manuel Gallegos, who we met recently (see the Motherboard video above), has spent the past 30 years devising and building and test-flying a full stable of rocket-powered conveyances in the backyard. It’s good work if you can get it—he makes about $20,000 for appearances at events, and offers his hydrogen-peroxide-powered Rocket Belt package for only $125,000. But that was before the New Zealanders glided in on their big fat fan packs.

See more of the Motherboard video mother lode, like our piece on the Madagascar Institute, who are homebrewing rocket-powered carnival rides.

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Lead_Solo 4 months ago

Needs to start a jet pack demo team. I'm in.
GBT 4 months ago

This makes me feel like the laziest motherf#cker this side of the Rio Grande. I have small projects like learning to whittle and crap and this guy is building jetpacks with his hot daughter.
QueenofRowdy 5 months ago

Jetpacks in Mexico...who would have knew?
TypeofHype 5 months ago

This guys is awesome
Robodick 5 months ago

I wonder if he got the plans from the back of Boys Life.
sssss 5 months ago

I want a jet pack now!