Microjet Engineering
On the 30th of April 2003, the Jetbug took to the skies, powered by a 95-pound thrust gas turbine engine. The Jetbug amazed onlookers at Sywell with its phenomenal sound output. These pictures do not do justice to the spectacle of a 25mph foot-launched jet aircraft!
The idea of a Jetbug had been in the offing for over 3 years, but after taking delivery of the Microjet jet engine just three weeks previously, the Jetbug was ready for flight. Ben Ashman of Flylight Airsports, inventor of the Doodlebug, was the first Jetbugger, closely followed by The Stewart Bond. The engine has a fuel efficiency of around 1litre/min, allowing for a 10 minute flight. The in-built electric start and computer-controlled engine management system simplified the operation of the aircraft. Both pilots agreed that the jet provided slightly more thrust than a standard Radne-equipped Bug, although noise output was significantly worse!
Both Jetbuggers came back grinning from ear to ear. Further flights were conducted in very gusty conditions the following weekend at the Popham Microlight show. A video of the test flight is available for download (1.6Meg) in quicktime format from the Flylight Airsports Website here.......
Jetbug
Also have a look at the main Flylight website....
Flylight UK
Here it is!
Something else fun we did...
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