An adventure video released on YouTube the other day offers answer to man’s quest to fly like a bird. A visual feast to science enthusiasts, the video released by Australian startup CopterPack shows a man take off the ground with the support of electric backpack helicopter. It’s a future combination of jetpack and drone.
That backpack helicopter, called CopterPack, demonstrates a futuristic idea of individual flying technology with two giant rotors on either side of the pilot. Makers describe it as a human drone, a backpack helicopter, or an electric jetpack.
Video says it was the very first flight of CopterPack and does not show subtle or complicated maneuvers. The rotors rotate back and forth on a central axis. The video shows the pilot effortlessly flying, twisting and turning from a beach in Australia.
On company website, the device is described as an electric backpack helicopter with a self-leveling autopilot system. Two large rotors, about 3 foot in diameter, connect to a lightweight airframe made of carbon fiber tube. The backpack has battery packs and a pair of hand-controlled flat armrests.
There is no tail rotor as the main rotors are contra-rotating. By rotating back and forth on the central axis, the pilot can adjust the trajectory and rotate in the sky. The company did not specify how far the helicopter could fly, its battery capacity, or the maximum weight it could lift. Flight time, maximum altitude and final speed are critical factors that the company is yet to reveal. Also, there is no word yet on pricing and availability. However, CopterPack is gaining worldwide attention as future form of personal transportation.
