The personal jetpack--commonplace in science fiction for decades--is really on the launch pad for marketing this year. The inventor began working on engineering a jetpack in 1981. His product, the Martin Jetpack (pictured here), runs on premium unleaded petrol.The New Zealand firm that markets the Jetpack says it has 200 private buyers queued up for the chance to purchase. The company's marketing plan focuses first, however, on organisations buying fleets of Jetpacks to use in search-and-rescue missions. According to the product web site:
"Martin Jetpack is currently accepting enquiries from commercial customers. Please place your initial enquiry through this site and we will contact you directly."
Buyers must pass Martin Aircraft's special training course in order to take possession of their jetpacks.
