"Puffin"It's not a 1950's sci-fi jet pack, but it is a personal flying "suit." NASA named this experimental vehicle "Puffin," and explained that it is quite different than the old jet packs attached to a pilot's back.
For one thing, it is self-contained; the operator steps into the suit which has a cockpit area. It has helicopter-like wings for vertical take-off and when the vehicle is leveled off, the same blades function like an airplane engines for high altitude flying.
It is relatively quiet and lightweight since it is powered by electric motors and is environmentally friendly.
To view a video of "Puffin," go to an article by Dan Salzstein "NASA Announces Designs for Personal Flying Suit," NYT, 1/21/2010
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