Rocket Belts and Jet Packs

Who has not wanted to be free of the confines of Mother Earth with their rocket belt or jet pack? If someone wanted to be president, all he or she would have to do is promise a rocket belt on every person. He or she would be elected unanimously afterward, and we would welcome the new era of individual flight. (This is assuming that this candidate kept this promise, which probably wouldn't happen.)

If you feel like the future world of jet packs or rocket belts is a long time coming, then a company called TAM (Tecnologia Aerospacial Mexicana) is offering a rocket belt for $250,000 each. That's right, for a quarter of a million dollars, this dream can literally take flight.

To be honest, I'm not certain whether to believe TAM's website on this one. It sounds like something those guys on Mythbusters need to take a crack at. The rocket belt kit comes with the jet-pack apparatus itself, plus a special machine that allows you to make your own unlimited supply of rocket fuel.

That unlimited supply of rocket fuel was a real red flag. I know that jet fuel is more expensive than auto fuel (which, in today's terms, is quite a bundle). So I just don't see how this machine can just magically make an unlimited supply of fuel. What is fuel made of, water?

Fortunately, the rocket pack comes with training that is apparently hands-on. Man, now that would be a dream job. They teach people to fly. As a rocket belt consumer, you get 10 flights in training. It looks like you actually have to go to the company where they build these things for your training. I'm guessing that would be somewhere in Mexico, judging by TAM's acronym. I would suggest booking a one-way ticket on plane, train, or bus, and then using the rocket belt to fly home. This is under the assumption that the government would allow you to go home with a rocket pack, especially when you're crossing the border. I'm also under the impression that the rocket belt won't let you fly far.

In fact, the first jet-pack, built in 1961, could only fly for about thirteen seconds, covering a little over 110 feet. Due to the poor results, the government decided not to pursue the technology anymore. Before 2005, there was only company who would allow the average consumer to fly, and they charged $20,000 per person. Now that's one expensive amusement park ride.

I guess the question we are all asking ourselves right now is why we haven't perfected this technology already. Then again, I'm sure individual flight isn't as simple as it should be.