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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on January 18, 2016, 06:32:03 PM

Title: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: jimmy olsen on January 18, 2016, 06:32:03 PM
The future has arrived! :punk:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3316798/Flyer-fighters-Firemen-Dubai-issued-JETPACKS.html

Quote
Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS

    The machines have 200-hp engines that give them a top speed of 45mph
    They can operate to 3,000 feet - a bit higher than the Burj Khalifa
    New Zealand manufacturer Martin Aircraft Company is supplying them 

By Ted Thornhill for MailOnline

Published: 05:46 EST, 13 November 2015 | Updated: 12:35 EST, 13 November 2015

It was either this, or a consignment of very long ladders.

Dubai has moved to protect its forest of skyscrapers - which includes the world's tallest, the 2,700ft Burj Khalifa – by ordering jetpacks for its firefighters.

The city's Directorate of Civil Defence has ordered 20 of the $200,000 machines, made by New Zealand-based Martin Aircraft Company, plus two simulators for training.

The incredible machines have 200-horsepower fan-driven engines that give them a top speed of 45mph and an altitude ceiling of 3,000 feet, which means they'll be able to reach the top of the Burj Khalifa.

They can even be piloted remotely.

Martin Aircraft Company explained that the jetpack will mean Dubai's firefighters can reach areas even helicopters can't.

It said: 'The jetpack can take off and land vertically (VTOL) and because of its small dimensions, can operate in confined spaces such as close to or between buildings, near trees or in confined areas that other VTOL aircraft such as helicopters cannot access.

'This highly responsive tactical air asset allows for rapid deployment for Civil Defence roles such as intelligent surveillance, initial intervention, heavy lift payload drone, high rise rescue, and rapid deployment of specialist teams.'

The jetpack deal was signed on November 9 at the Dubai Air Show.

The signing ceremony was attended by Lt Col Expert Ali Hassan Almutawa, Director Operations on behalf of Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director-General of Civil Defence.

He said: 'The vision of Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) is protecting lives, properties and environment and to provide fast professional service, efficient investment of human and material sources to give best results.

'Dubai is one of the fastest growing future cities in the world with its modern skyscrapers and vast infrastructure it has always been a world leader in adapting new technology to improve and save people's lives.

Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: mongers on January 18, 2016, 06:39:50 PM
But who will put out the fire-flyers when their jetpacks catch fire?  :moon:
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 07:58:08 PM
Leave it to the Daily Mail to not know what a "jet" is.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Caliga on January 18, 2016, 08:14:12 PM
What could go wrong? :)
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Monoriu on January 18, 2016, 08:29:20 PM
I have always thought of Dubai as utopia on Earth  :)
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Scipio on January 18, 2016, 08:53:04 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on January 18, 2016, 08:29:20 PM
I have always thought of Dubai as utopia on Earth  :)
The same can be said for the rich anywhere where they have access to their money.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on January 18, 2016, 09:03:17 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 07:58:08 PM
Leave it to the Daily Mail to not know what a "jet" is.

:huh:
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: grumbler on January 18, 2016, 09:26:46 PM
This is old news.  It is interesting, sorta, but is mostly about how to spend more money than the returns will justify.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 18, 2016, 09:29:36 PM
What good is a firefighter at 3,000 feet if the hose is only 200 feet?
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: grumbler on January 18, 2016, 09:34:23 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 18, 2016, 09:29:36 PM
What good is a firefighter at 3,000 feet if the hose is only 200 feet?

These things have no capacity to lift any firefighting equipment.  They are just able to take one man aloft for recon.

The problem is that these things are going to prove to be very dangerous.  Air currents around tall building are wicked.  Air currents around tall buildings surrounded by other tall buildings are wicked^2.  Air currents around tall buildings on fire surrounded by other tall buildings are wicked^wicked. 

It'll be raining firefighters for a while in Dubai, I fear.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: PDH on January 18, 2016, 10:09:40 PM
They'll be foreign guest firefighters so that is ok.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 10:54:37 PM
Quote from: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on January 18, 2016, 09:03:17 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 07:58:08 PM
Leave it to the Daily Mail to not know what a "jet" is.

:huh:

It operates on a duct fan, like a hovercraft.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Josquius on January 19, 2016, 02:57:40 AM
Wonder why they bought 20 of them.
I assume the reason for their purchase is for similar reasons as the police supercars - more "look at us and how rich and futuristic we are. Ignore the debt slavery and general tackiness. Please come spend money here" than something for practical use.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: grumbler on January 19, 2016, 07:22:01 AM
Quote from: PDH on January 18, 2016, 10:09:40 PM
They'll be foreign guest firefighters so that is ok.

True.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on January 19, 2016, 12:23:11 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 10:54:37 PM
Quote from: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on January 18, 2016, 09:03:17 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 18, 2016, 07:58:08 PM
Leave it to the Daily Mail to not know what a "jet" is.

:huh:

It operates on a duct fan, like a hovercraft.

Take that up with Martin Aircraft (http://martinjetpack.com/) then.  The Daily Fail didn't make that up.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Razgovory on January 19, 2016, 12:55:11 PM
Dear Martin Aircraft,

I wish to bring to your attention that your new line of products, the Martin Jetpack, is not propelled by a jet engine.  Please change the name accordingly.

Sincerely,

Razgovory

Post Script:

I am not a crackpot.
Title: Re: Flyer-fighters! Firemen in Dubai are to be issued with JETPACKS!
Post by: Eddie Teach on January 19, 2016, 03:00:53 PM
Oh yeah? Then why did you spell out "post script"?