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March 11th 2010 Update It's been nearly six years since I started on my Rocketbelt Project. The childhood dream becoming the adult nightmare. Rocketbelt's are not easy to build. A relatively simple looking machine with a lot of secrets. The first Rocketbelt we built was scrapped around a year later. The second modified so much that a third was eventually built. The third machine, I am glad to say now works. My many many thanks to Mike Glanfield for putting up with me wanting to change things that he had worked so hard on.Mike has got to be one of the best engineers that the UK has to offer. His commitment to the project has been unbelievable. A perfectionist, a great man and a genuine friend. With input from Eric Scott, my rocketbelt was modified again (and for the last time) last summer. Around 6 solo flights were performed by myself. There are many things that go through your mind when you open the throttle on a fully fuelled Rocketbelt. The first few seconds consist of a complete mental overload. The noise, debris and a feeling in the back of your mind that something geometrically could be wrong. Apart from the running costs of £10 / $15 per second, the machine has to be right if you are going to fly and succeed. Go Fast decided to sell their rocketbelt in October last year and I am proud to announce that I am the new owner.This machine has around 400 flights and all accident free. The machine has always been flown by Eric Scott who is also a great friend of the Ross family. So, a decision was made over the winter and in view of the exceptionally high running costs of a Rocketbelt (£600 per minute) it was decided that Stuart should now focus his attention on flying Eric Scotts rocketbelt. Stuart's original red belt is now being rebuilt while he learns to fly the new machine. So, to update everyone.....Stuart is now flying the old Go Fast belt and his original rocketbelt is being rebuilt while he learns to fly his new machine. Here are a few links showing Eric flying Stuart's new Rocketbelt. Over the years Stuart has had a lot of help from a lot of people. Jeremy McGrane Nelson Tyler Mark Wells Bill Suitor Mike Glanfield Erik Bengstton Troy Widgery at Go Fast Lindsay Clarke (for helping out in the rain, and being on the end of the tether. His input! his humour and his commitment) and of course Eric Scott. I would also like to thank Richard Brown. He is the only man in the world close to really flying a proper jetpack (gas turbine as oppose peroxide) His machine runs on a gas turbine engine. Richard has spent an equal amount of time developing a very complicated machine. We are in reality both at the same stage. Many conversations with Richard whilst walking the dogs! I am sure in the future we will be flying together. Find out more about Richard by clicking here. This is not a project you can do on your own. There are several video's and newspaper articles around. Click on the links to find out more. Once again a big thank you to everyone involved. The childhood dream, let's try and forget about the adult nightmare. Keep checking the site for updates. All the best Stuart Jetpack Johnny Book Now Available Jetpack Johnny Official Website Paul Brown's Article in The Guardian 2006 Rocketbelt Convention Video Archive Footage of Bill Suitor I am starting to include suppliers that have helped out with the Rocketbelt Project. Click on the links.
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