You know, in my youth, I was a big fan of the movie The Rocketeer.  What could be cooler than throwing on a bullet-shaped helmet, donning your asbestos underpants, strapping on a big tank of explosive and flammable jet fuel, then sparking a match and taking off in a leg-charring woosh of flame and gel ignite?  Nothing, that’s what.  Mankind has dreamed of flight for millions of years, and German company SPELCO GbR might not have finally found a way to make it happen, they’re getting closer than anyone else has with their jet-powered glider.

While it’s not exactly the same thing as a personal jet pack, the Gryphon assault glider is pretty close.  Designed as an assist to the brave and insane HAHO (high altitude high opening) paratroopers who routinely leap from speeding planes at heights of 27,000 feet, the glider can carry 100 pounds of supplies or weapons systems, is steerable using a rudder system, has a jet motor for extra propulsion, has a built-in oxygen supply for the thinner atmosphere, and most importantly, reduces the time the paratrooper spends in the frosty (-64 degrees Fahrenheit) weather they encounter during a jump while increasing their attack corridor.

While the current control system is difficult for the newbie jet-glider pilot, SPELCO GbR is working on an electronics-assisted steering system as we speak, which means that before long you could strap on a 30-lb backpack and experience the thrill of (almost) flying like a bird.  I doubt it’ll be too much longer until they figure out a way to rig the Gryphon to hold enough fuel to not only land and fly, but also take off from the ground, too.

Tags: SPELCO GbR, glider, jet glider, personal flight, skydiving, parachute jumping

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