Only in LA

[Timsup2nothin]

So this story is...something. It offers just so many things to wonder about.

1) Do we believe a guy is flying around LA in a jetpack? Reports from airline pilots on approach generally seem pretty credible. I guess so.

2) WTF would lead guy with jetpack to be flirting with a collision with a commercial aircraft? If someone gave me a jetpack I could list a hundred places to fly it that did not include Los Angeles International Airport. A thousand. Ten thousand.

3) Was this a test flight? Man on a mission? Good or evil intent?

4) How does law enforcement go about looking for "guy who flew by LAX in a jetpack? Where do they even start that investigation?

 

[Ajidica]

Its like the sci-fi version of Florida Man.

 

[Zardnaar]

Eh they'll just deep fry it, add suger or cheese.

 

[Sarin]

My guess, he was just a jerk messing around, showing off.

I suppose that, if the guy got into restricted airspace and thus violated some law, there are two ways to get him. One is the good old legwork-try to find as many witnesses as possible, try to get court order to get companies making these-there can't be that many-to disclose their customers, cross reference it all and see if there's some connection, and the other one is to have a helo on standby or in the air around the area at all times, and if he does it again, just track him and nail him when he lands, jetpacks don't have much of a flight time.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Jetpacks only have a 5 min flight time, cost to buy one commercially is $400,000, flying at high attitude is considered very risky as losing control means a plummet to the ground and injury
Whoever it was it would easy to trace as there are only a few produced jetpacks and then they can have a fine for being stupid

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Soooooo....jetpacks are actually available to just buy? Like any rando with a half million could get himself shredded though the engine of a flying airliner?

This clearly calls for further investigation.

 

[r16]

it is a thing that involves Californians , so like be hush until the cops get the guy .

 

[FriendlyFire]

Soooooo....jetpacks are actually available to just buy? Like any rando with a half million could get himself shredded though the engine of a flying airliner?
This clearly calls for further investigation.

 

[r16]

ah , yes , American media . What it fails to convey is that none of the pilots might have said 30 yards , because when a Su-27 comes within 300 yards of a B-52 that's a dangerous interception and the guy is reported in the air for 10 minutes . Leading to it is a drone shaped like a dude or jumped off an helicopter . FBl , go arrest all billionaires in the US !

 

[Bamspeedy]

Jetpacks that can hover 10 feet over water is easy to access (if you got the money).

Jetpacks that can fly with planes is insanely more expensive, harder to get, and harder to use (small movements of head can send you into a tailspin).

https://time.com/4101944/dubai-jetpacks-plane/

 

[Lexicus]

Jetpacks that can fly with planes is insanely more expensive, harder to get, and harder to use (small movements of head can send you into a tailspin).

Also the backwash from the engine can incinerate you from the waist down

 

[r16]

not to worry , because US Delta Force and specialist helicopter units have chosen this day to exercise in Los Angeles . Sleep well , sweety ...

 

[Farm Boy]

You could get short and snappy cut-it-out letters from the FAA for launching homemade wagon axle rockets in the 50s, I assume flying around in an international airport without clearance is grounds for a relatively serious arrest. Not because you could get yourself shredded, but because you could hurt a lot of people getting yourself shredded. I mean, we also will go out of our way to get idiots with the green laser pointers too, right?

 

[aelf]

Isn't Iron Man based in New York?

 

[r16]

don't give them ideas . Stark lndustries to chase copyright branches ! Even worse , a thousand extras can be demanded by watching movies !

 

[Socrates99]

Must be one helluva jetpack to be at 3000ft for over 10 min.

 

[tetley]

Of the things going on in LA right now, this is definitely not the top story I am following. With that, what I would say:

Flying in a jetpack is major cool. I am sure any pilot would say the same thing. There are just a few safety issues with it. Obviously flying in a jetpack is a daredevil stunt.

Someone who was capable of such a feat would likely be at an airport. Where else would you find jet mechanics and aero engineers with a jet engine in their garage?

Relocating all this work would be very inconvenient. So logically the first thing they're going to do is try and make it safe around the airport--the work environment they are familiar with.

This has to be a team effort. Obviously they have a few other safety issues on their mind, when you strap jet fuel on your back and fly around like an untied balloon.

 

[r16]

it is unlikely to be so , as they would be shut down . You can do tons of stuff , with a license .

 

[Hygro]

Isn't Iron Man based in New York?

I thought Malibu in the movies.

 

[Zkribbler]

I thought Malibu in the movies.

Malibu in the movies; NY in the comics.