California-based JetPack Aviation (JPA) has signed an agreement to provide JetPack pilot and maintainer training to a military customer in Southeast-Asia. This is the first time that professional JetPack training has been delivered to a team of serving military personnel and represents a critical advancement in the use of personal aerial vehicles for government use.
Following the signing of a US$800,000 (£593,000) order for two JB12 JetPacks, the customer has contracted JetPack Aviation to train two pilots and two maintenance technicians at its California facility, with future options to teach additional personnel, including an instructor.
The student pilots, already experienced military personnel but without flying experience, will initially receive on-tether instruction, subsequently moving off-tether for advanced training, following an FAA-approved syllabus created by JPA and the US Navy. Training, which will be undertaken close to JetPack Aviation’s Ventura, CA. headquarters, will be delivered on the customer’s own JB12 aircraft during summer 2022. Conducted over two weeks, the course will require a minimum of 50 six-minute on-tether flights before the trainee’s progress to free flight.
Once off-tether training is completed, the programme will conclude with advanced mission-specific manoeuvres, including operating in tightly confined spaces and landing on moving ‘targets’. Future developments may include in-country arrangements for initial and currency training, using purpose-built facilities. It is anticipated the Southeast-Asian customer will use the JetPacks to support complicated special missions.
