• HOME
  • PRODUCTS
    • OPVs
    • Simulator Range
    • Safety Information
  • NEWS & EVENTS
    • Latest News
    • Events
    • Media Centre
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Images
    • Brochures
  • COMPANY
    • About Us
    • History
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Social Responsibility
    • Careers
  • INVESTORS
    • Investor Relations
    • Announcements
    • Financial Reports
    • Corporate Governance
    • Policies & Practices
  • FAQs
  • GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF INNOVATION
  • PRIVACY POLICY
CONTACT US

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • History
  • Leadership & Governance
  • Social Responsibility
  • Careers

History

History

image

Like many famous inventions, the Martin Jetpack has its humble origins in the garage of Glenn Martin who initially conceived and began development of the Martin Jetpack in 1981. Supported by his wife Vanessa, who was the Jetpack’s first test pilot, and their two sons Harrison and William, Glenn worked tirelessly on his dream to develop the initial prototypes of the unique aircraft that you see today.

Commercialisation of the Martin Jetpack began in 1998 with the founding of the GNM Ltd, which became Martin Aircraft Company in 2008. Initially research and development was primarily funded by private investors who had the vision to see the tremendous potential of the product. The company was also fortunate to receive backing from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Callaghan Institute for certain aspects of the development.

The Martin Jetpack was named as one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 inventions for 2010 and this triggered a number of queries from the First Responder community who were interested in using Jetpacks as a rapid response vehicle. It was then that the huge potential of the role the Martin Jetpack could play in saving and improving human lives became apparent.

Over the next few years the company continued to achieve key milestones on the path to market launch and economic reality. In 2013 the Prototype 12 gained authorisation from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for manned test flights and this paved the way for the first public manned flight to take place in Shenzhen, China on 6 December 2015.

Also in 2014, Martin Aircraft Company signed a cornerstone investment agreement with KuangChi Science Limited. The company subsequently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in February 2015.

August sees the first manned flights of the new Series 1 Jetpack
2017
2017
Martin Aircraft Company demonstrates unmanned Jetpack Rescue Module flight capabilities at Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow
2016
2016
First public manned Jetpack flight in Shenzhen, China
2015
2015
Martin Aircraft Company signs cornerstone investment agreement with KuangChi Science Limited
2014
2014
Prototype 12 gains authorisation from New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for manned test flights
2013
First demonstration of rapid opening parachute system
2012
2012
Flight to 5,000 feet and first parachute deployment
2011
2011
First manned flight of the jetpack over five minutes in duration
2010
Conversion to fly by wire, PhD and simulator research started
2009
2009
Martin Jetpack introduction at Oshkosh airshow, USA. Company renamed Martin Aircraft Company
2008
2008
Jetpack performs first outdoor manned figure eights, pirouettes and circuits. First patents filed.
2007
First untethered flight of Jetpack
2005
Glenn Martin formed GNM Ltd
1998
First lift-off of piloted jetpack (tethered) by Vanessa Martin
1997
First test rigs and mathematical validation by University of Canterbury
1984
Glenn Martin started research on the concept of a personal jetpack that could fly for longer than 30 seconds
1981
1981

KEEP UP TO DATE

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest information from the Martin Aircraft Company.

FOLLOW US

Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
  • MULTIMEDIA
  • Videos
  • Images
  • Brochures
  • NEWS & EVENTS
  • Latest News
  • Events
  • Media Coverage
  • PRODUCTS
  • OPVs
  • Simulator Range
  • Safety Information
  • COMPANY
  • About Us
  • History
  • Leadership & Governance
  • Social Responsibility
  • Careers
  • INVESTORS
  • Investor Relations
  • Announcements
  • Financial Reports
  • Corporate Governance
  • Policies & Practices

COPYRIGHT © 2019 THE MARTIN AIRCRAFT COMPANY LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.