Go Fast!

Denver, Colo. – January 3, 2007 - They say one person can influence a life. But it was a James Bond movie that influenced a young Troy Widgery. Since watching “Thunderball,” a 1965 film that sent Bond to the Bahamas to recover stolen nuclear warheads, Widgery wanted to build his own flying machine similar to what Bond flew in across the movie screen. So in 2003, Widgery, a former competitive skydiver, and two friends, John Hewatt and Dave Butler, formed the company Jet P.I. LLC to manage the research, development, construction and future flights of what would become the “Go Fast Jet Pack.” Jet packs have been around since the 1960s, when Bell Aerosystems built its "Bell Rocket Belt" for the US Army, using hydrogen peroxide as fuel. But Widgery wanted to create a jetpack that was lighter, faster and more economical. The Jet Pack team consists of five engineers, four flight support technicians and four pilots who have performed all over the world, from large sporting events to musical festivals. They have almost 2,000 flights in multiple scenarios in two jet packs — the H202 and H202-Z models, which have a top speed of about 70 mph and a maximum flight time of 33 seconds and 43 seconds, respectively. But its newest model, the T-73 Jet Pack, which should be available in early- to mid-2008, will extend that flight time considerably. According to Gizmodo.com, the purchase price of $226,000 comes with an included training course so you don't kill yourself with it within the first few minutes of opening the box. It runs on jet fuel. But if that’s not in your budget, you can go fast with the company’s other venture — Go Fast energy drinks. They sell for about $2. Jet Pack Models Jet Pack H202 Maximum Flight Time: 33 seconds Maximum Distance: 500 ft Maximum Speed: 70 mph. Maximum Height: 120ft Maximum Pilot Weight: 180 lbs. Fuel: H202 Fuel Capacity: 5.8 gallons. Jet pack H202-Z Maximum Flight Time: 43 seconds Maximum Distance: 1500 ft Maximum Speed: 77 mph. Maximum Height: 250ft Maximum Pilot Weight: 180 lbs. Fuel: H202 Fuel Capacity: 8 gallons. Jet pack T-73 Estimated Flight Time: 9 minutes Estimated Distance: 27 miles Estimated Speed: 83 mph Estimated Maximum Height: 250 feet Maximum Pilot Weight: 180 lbs. Fuel: Jet-A fuel Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gallons. Power Plant: T-73 turbine engine Retail Price: $200,000-plus, includes training Due to be released early to middle of 2008.

More Information Go Fast Bell Aerosystems Gizmodo.com See the jetpack in action at the Orange County Choppers jet bike unveiling. See the jetpack in action in the FIT-NHB Fight Gym Commercial

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