Jetpack's first public flight in NZ likely to set Wanaka airshow buzzing

The Martin Jetpack generated significant buzz at a leading United States airshow. Photo / Supplied

It began as a "secret project" in a Dunedin student flat 34 years ago.

And finally, at Easter, the Martin Jetpack will get its first New Zealand public outing as a fully-fledged, flying aeronautical wonder during the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.

The jetpack was dreamed up one night in 1981 by University of Otago student Glenn Martin on his way home from the Cook Hotel to his flat at the corner of Howe and Castle Sts.

Now it is a product ready for sale around the world. The jetpack has been to the Wanaka airshow before, but only as a static display.

This time it will be seen flying at up to 74km/h, at an altitude of up to 1000m, for 30 minutes.

The jetpack takes off and lands vertically and can be flown by a pilot or by remote control.

The Martin Aircraft Company describes its jetpack as "disruptive technology" in the same way helicopters were when they were first developed.

Company chief executive Peter Coker said discussions were under way with various authorities to enable the jetpack to conduct a series of public flights.

The Wanaka show and other events would provide the public with a first-hand chance to see the jetpack's flight characteristics and advantages over traditional aircraft such as helicopters, he said.

The jetpack is seen as having potential for search and rescue, and military, recreational and commercial purposes.

Mr Martin grew up in Dunedin but moved to Christchurch after university.

He unveiled the jetpack for the first time in July, 2008, at America's Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin, with his son Harrison at the controls.

Mr Martin said after that flight he had kept the jetpack secret because he was brought up "pretty much that you don't skite".

His first prototype used a Honda lawnmower engine, and most of his prototypes ended up at the tip.

In June, three months after the company Mr Martin founded was listed on the Australian stock exchange, he quit as a director.

At the time, Mr Martin told the Herald he wanted to build a jetpack that everyday people could use, but the company had been increasingly focused on developing an aircraft for police and search and rescue tasks.

"It wasn't any fun for me any more," he said.

He retains a 15.9 per cent stake in the company.

The company expects to deliver its first jetpacks to customers later next year.