JetLev
{{Short description|Water-propelled jetpack}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2018}}
The JetLev is a water-propelled jet pack powered through a floater derived from jetski technology attached through an umbilical to the backpack which contains two nozzles and two control arms, in a configuration like traditional rocket belts and gas turbine jet belts. The JetLev also functions underwater, allowing users to dive into the water and jet back out. The jetpack can allow users to fly up to {{convert|30|ft|m|-1|abbr=in|order=flip}} above the water. It was created by Chinese Canadian, Raymond Li. JetLev became the first practical amateur-usable jet pack, and first with practical usable duration. The JetLev technology jetpack became the first commercially released jetpack in 2009. It was initially offered for sale for US$100,000, however with much cheaper competitors coming on the market afterwards, inspired by the original JetLev, such as the Flyboard, prices rapidly dropped, with cheaper models.{{cite magazine |url= https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/wasser-von-braun-117142258/ |title= Wasser von Braun |author= Mike Klesius |date= 28 September 2009 |magazine= Air & Space Magazine |publisher= Smithsonian }}{{cite episode |airdate= 19 April 2009 |title= JetLev |series= Daily Planet |network= Discovery Channel Canada }}{{cite magazine |url= http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-07/water-powered-jetpack |title= A Water-Powered Jetpack |author= Rena Marie Pacella |date= 30 July 2009 |magazine= Popular Science }}{{cite episode |series= World's Strangest |title= Vehicles |date= 11 April 2013 |network= Discovery Science }}{{cite book |title= The Great American Jet Pack: The Quest for the Ultimate Individual Lift Device |year= 2013 |publisher= Chicago Review Press |author= Steve Lehto |isbn= 9781613744338 |pages= 166–168 }}
History
Raymond Li started working on the concept in 2000. By 2003, he was seeking funding to keep developing the concept. He received a grant from the National Research Council of Canada. The prototype jetpack attached to a jetski, first flew manned in 2004. In 2005, Li moved part-time to Fort Lauderdale on a temporary work visa to continue development with assistance from jetski experts. Hydroflight patents were issued to Raymond Li in 2008, and passed to the holding company JetLev Intellectual Property. Investors started calling Li in 2008. JetLev sued the makers of Flyboard, Jetovator, and manufacturers of other hydrojetpacks for patent infringement, starting in 2012. The intellectual property was bought by Zapata Industries, the maker of Flyboard, in 2016, consolidating the leading market hydroflight jetpacks in one company.{{cite web |url= https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/raymond-li-of-jetlev-how-james-bond-inspired-him-to-invent-a-jet-pack/ |title= Raymond Li of Jetlev: How James Bond Inspired Him to Invent a Jet Pack |author= Katie Morell |date= 23 May 2013 |publisher= American Express }}{{cite news |url= http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/zapata-industries-announces-acquisition-consolidation-hydro-flight-intellectual-property-otcqb-imsc-2151509.htm |title= Zapata Industries Announces the Acquisition and Consolidation of Hydro-Flight Intellectual Property Rights in the US and Abroad |publisher= Marketwired |date= 17 August 2016 }}{{cite magazine |url= http://www.h2romagazine.com/h2ro-news/hydrofight |title= Hydrofight Sports – No this is not a typo |author= Blaine Jeffery |date= 14 September 2016 |publisher= H2RO Magazine |access-date= 18 May 2018 |archive-date= 24 May 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081923/http://www.h2romagazine.com/h2ro-news/hydrofight |url-status= dead }}
Hydrojetpacks have raised concerns over safety and the need for regulations, since they started coming onto the market and into resorts.{{cite news |url= https://nypost.com/2013/08/08/iron-man-water-jetpacks-spark-safety-environmental-concerns-in-hawaii/ |title= 'Iron Man' water jetpacks spark safety, environmental concerns in Hawaii |date= 8 August 2013 |newspaper= New York Post }}{{cite news |url= http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-water-jetpacks-20140715-story.html |title= Safety concerns spur new rules for water jet packs in Maryland |author= Michael Bodley |date= 15 July 2014 |newspaper= Baltimore Sun }} Jetpack Adventures in Australia was the first business to adapt the technology for use in the hire industry in the southern hemisphere in 2012. Located in Australia the company brought wide scale hire activities within Australia.[https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gold-coast-company-to-debut-futuristic-flying-machine-jetlev-at-sanctuary-cove-international-boat-show/news-story/aeddcc7f89b3660859c2457857541c30?sv=cf600ab373790146fb7298ac8d289783 The Courier Mail] {{dead link|date=March 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://jetlev-flyer.com/ Jetlev-Flyer personal flying machines]
See also
{{commons category|JetLev}}
- Hydroflight sports, sports using water stream jet packs
- Flyboard, a water-propelled jetpack in the form of a hoverboard attached to a jetski by an umbilical
- Bell Rocketbelt, the original rocket-based jetpack
- Martin Jetpack, a paired ducted-fan style 'jet' pack
Category:Water sports equipment