The FBI will be investigating an incident that took place near Los Angeles International Airport after an American Airlines pilot reported seeing a mystery person in a jetpack flying in the path of incoming jets Sunday evening…
The American Airlines pilot reported via radio to the control tower seeing a “guy in a jetpack” as he was approaching LAX at about 3,000 feet and ten miles out for a landing. In the video on this story, you can listen to the actual call to the control tower.
Efforts to find out more from the pilot went nowhere…The FAA said they turned the report over to the LAPD for investigation, possibly trying to locate the person via a helicopter or ground patrol. The LAPD says they performed a flyover in the area but were not able to locate anyone that matched that description.
Looney Tunes is no longer just cartoons and short subjects in a movie theater. They’re walking the streets of LA. Flying above.
“The Ill-Fated History of the Jet Pack” (Smithsonian, June 2015) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ill-fated-history-jetpack-180955294/
See also Jet Pack trope https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/JetPack
“A fantastic couple of days in the Lake District testing out how extreme Jet Suit mobility can support emergency paramedic response in the mountains. The Great North Air Ambulance reached out and constructed a typical rescue scenario. Calling in helicopter support for each and every case isn’t possible or practical which leaves vehicle & foot approach. What if the Critical Care first responder could locate and stabilise the casualty within minutes of vehicle arrival. Well in this exercise we did it in 90 seconds vs the 25 minutes of arduous climb!”
[Behind the scenes flight testing the day before at 2:45]
Some believe a Martin Aircraft Company ‘jetpack’ [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Jetpack ] was used, though neither the flyer nor his equipment have been identified yet. https://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/a33649382/guy-in-jetpack-flying-over-lax-airport/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/lax-jetpack