Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

JetPack Aviation has booked the first order for its VTOL JB12 JetPack, which is powered by six turbojet engines, each producing 88 pounds of thrust. JetPack Aviation has been developing its manned JetPack VTOL devices for many years in Southern California. The undisclosed Southeast Asian customer is paying $800,000 for two JB12 JetPacks.

 


The JB12 weighs 105 pounds and is similar in appearance to the JB11, although the JB12 is a classified version. The six turbojet engines are mounted on a wearable frame, with three engines on each side. Directional control is provided by vectoring each engine’s thrust, via a thrust-management computer system that essentially provides fly-by-wire flight control. A JB12 pilot will be able to hover and maneuver in any direction and also fly up to 120 mph.

 


In addition to the JB12, the company is developing the Speeder “flying motorcycle.” Both the Speeder and JB12 could enable unique military and special mission capabilities, according to JetPack Aviation.

 


The first full-scale Speeder prototype, P1, has completed flight trials, and the next version P1.5, should fly later this year. Data from those flights will be used to optimize the design of P2, and this version should fly in the first half of 2022, in preparation for production versions. JetPack Aviation is now preparing letters of intent and taking preorders for the production version of the Speeder.

 


“Ratification of this deal demonstrates that the JB12 JetPack provides defense forces with exceptional aerial capabilities to fulfill a wide array of mission requirements,” said JetPack Aviation founder and CEO David Mayman. “The maneuverability of the JetPack, its small form factor, which fits inside a set of standard Pelican cases, and ease of integration with our Speeder platform to complement the JB12’s capabilities, were all factors that informed the sale. This order represents a significant step forward for us as it confirms that our development program is meeting military needs.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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