Modern-Aviation

With advancements in missile technologies during the 1950's and 1960's, there were experiments into putting missiles engines into personal jetpacks. The Jet Flying Belt was the result of these tests and backed by a $3 million fund from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).

Testing in 1969 showed the Jet Flying Belt was capable of propelling the user seven metres into the air at a speed of just under 30 mph. This jetpack was capable of 25 minutes of flight and was theoretically able to manage a top speed of over 80 mph. Despite successful testing, the company sold all the technology and patents to Williams International after not getting any further with these sort of projects.