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World desk4 min

Why Jetpacks Aren’t Popular—and What the “Not Getting Attention” Remark Really Meant

Jetpacks attract attention in demonstrations but remain impractical for commuting. Their brief flight time, heavy turbine-powered design, hot exhaust, fuel demands, training requirements and limited availability keep them out of everyday transport.
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Jetpack Aviation founder David Mayman was not reporting poor sales when he said people failed to look up during a Sydney Harbour flight. He was describing how surprisingly easy it was for bystanders to ignore a loud jetpack. The larger reason jetpacks are not everyday transport is practical: they are heavy, hot, fuel-hungry, short-range aircraft that require specialist training, controlled operating areas and substantial safety precautions.

What the headline actually means

Futurism’s January 26, 2022 report recounts Mayman’s memory of flying near joggers and pedestrians around Sydney’s botanical area. He said the jetpack was loud enough that people must have heard it, yet some did not look up. The article later clarified its headline and wording: Mayman had not complained about disappointing jetpack sales.

The anecdote is about public attention, not a measured statistic about consumer demand. No source cited here provides a dated survey or sales dataset showing how many people want jetpacks.

Why people do not use jetpacks to commute

Very short endurance

Jetpacks burn fuel rapidly because their turbine engines must produce enough thrust to lift both the aircraft and pilot. JetPack Aviation lists eight minutes of endurance for its JB10 and 10 minutes for its JB11. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent test results, and the company says endurance varies with pilot weight and density altitude.

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Weight, heat and protective equipment

The aircraft carries engines, controls, fuel and structural hardware on the pilot’s back. Futurism’s 2022 account described a pack weighing about 90 pounds; JetPack Aviation’s current product information lists an 83-pound empty weight for the JB10 and 115 pounds for the JB11, before fuel and pilot.

Turbines produce extremely hot exhaust. The 2022 report described the need for protective clothing and careful leg positioning. That makes hovering beside pedestrians, buildings or vehicles very different from riding a conventional motorcycle or bicycle.

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Fuel is a poor urban-energy trade-off

The JB10 can use Jet A-1, JP8, kerosene or diesel, according to JetPack Aviation. Carrying enough fuel for useful range adds weight, while the short burn time limits how far the pilot can travel and how much reserve is available for an emergency or diversion.

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A jetpack needs a clear launch and landing area, weather assessment, pilot workload management and an operating plan. Noise, exhaust, downwash and the consequences of an engine or control failure make dense urban routes difficult even before local aviation rules are considered.

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What the current JetPack Aviation models claim

Model Propulsion Empty weight Published endurance Published speed Evidence and qualification
JB10 Twin turbojets 83 lb 8 minutes, dependent on pilot weight and density altitude Above 120 mph Manufacturer specification; price upon request
JB11 Six turbojets 115 lb 10 minutes, dependent on pilot weight and density altitude Not stated Manufacturer specification; price upon request

These figures are not a like-for-like independent flight test. Real performance depends on fuel load, pilot mass, temperature, altitude, wind, operating technique and the aircraft’s configuration.

Can you buy a real jetpack?

JetPack Aviation’s current FAQ says, “Our JetPacks are not for sale.” Its product page gives prices upon request, but that is not the same as a published retail offer.

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AOPA reported in January 2018 that a JB10 carried a $250,000 price tag and that Mayman had sold one. That figure is historical and should not be treated as the current price or availability of a JB10.

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Licensing and operating categories

JetPack Aviation describes different configurations, including an Ultralight version limited to 55 knots and five gallons, and an Experimental version with different pilot-qualification requirements. The company’s product information has said the Experimental version requires at least a sport or recreational pilot license plus JetPack Aviation training and sign-off. Its FAQ currently says at least a Light Sport Aircraft certificate is needed.

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Those descriptions are not a universal legal rule. Requirements depend on the aircraft category, country, registration, operating location and current aviation authority guidance. Anyone considering operation must verify the applicable rules directly with the relevant regulator and the manufacturer.

How safe are jetpacks?

Safety cannot be summarized by one feature because it depends on the specific aircraft, configuration, pilot training, environment and emergency procedures. Historical reporting illustrates the concern: AOPA wrote in January 2018 that Mayman regarded an emergency parachute as essential and was working on a system. That report describes the development status at the time; it does not establish the equipment installed on every current jetpack.

  • Engine and control failure: the pilot has little time to react during an eight- to ten-minute flight.
  • Thermal hazards: hot exhaust requires protective clothing, separation from people and careful body positioning.
  • Fuel risk: turbine fuel is carried close to the pilot and engines.
  • Landing exposure: a safe launch or landing site must account for obstacles, bystanders, wind and fire response.
  • Human workload: the pilot must manage thrust, attitude, direction, fuel and an emergency plan simultaneously.

How jetpacks compare with ordinary travel

A useful comparison should include more than top speed. Check endurance with a stated pilot and fuel load, empty and loaded weight, propulsion and fuel type, licensing category, training availability, emergency equipment, operating restrictions and total cost. On those measures, current jetpacks behave more like specialist experimental aircraft than like a practical commuter vehicle.

Could jetpacks become popular later?

Popularity would require major improvements in energy storage, endurance, noise, heat management, reliability, crash protection, training access and regulatory integration. Even if the hardware improves, cities would still need designated routes, takeoff and landing areas, noise limits and emergency-response procedures.

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For now, jetpacks remain demonstrations and specialist aircraft. The Sydney Harbour story captures their spectacle, but the engineering and operating constraints explain why most people do not use one to get around.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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