THE MARTIN JETPACK

The Martin Family

The Martin Family

Glenn’s wife Vanessa, and his two sons Harrison 16 years and William 11 years, have been involved in the jetpack’s development on a daily basis. When the children were small the household’s disposable income was $50.00 a month and Glenn would invest $20.00 of that into his dream, working night after night in the garage.

Vanessa Martin

Vanessa Martin

Vanessa has always supported Glenn’s dream of creating the world’s first practical jetpack. “When I first met Glenn, he told me of his dream to build a jetpack and I didn’t think much about it at the time,” says Vanessa. “The boys and I are very proud of Glenn and as a family we don’t regret a minute of the journey,” she added. “I was Glenn’s first ever test pilot. I used to run out to the garage, get strapped into the jetpack, test it, and rush back into the house to our then seven week old son,” recalls Vanessa.

Harrison and William Martin

Harrison and William Martin

Because the development of the jetpack had to be kept secret, the boys were never able to tell their friends what their father did. Harrison was 15 years old when he first flew the jetpack. “My friends work in MacDonalds during the school holidays, I have a slightly more interesting job as a jetpack test pilot,” says Harrison. “It has been pretty difficult keeping the project a secret though,” he added. Vanessa recalls William being very surprised to learn that other Dad’s didn’t go to work in their garage. “William thought all Dads did that,” says Vanessa.