An air traffic controller who had the unusual job of disseminating the news that a guy in a jetpack was crowding the skies Sunday had one observation: "Only in L.A."
On the weekend,?????? two separate pilots flying American Airlines and Southwest Airlines planes said they'd spotted someone flying a jetpack as they approached LAX, NBC Los Angeles reports.
"Tower, American 1997. We just passed a guy in a jetpack," one pilot reportedly said. The pilot then added that the individual was flying about 300 yards away — at the plane's same altitude of 3,000 feet.
"Tower, we just saw the guy pass by us,'' the Southwest pilot said.
While it seems unwise for a human to go airborne right alongside some airplanes, it's not impossible. One jetpack company, JetPack Aviation, is based in Moorpark — which is just an hour north west of LAX.
The company has two jetpacks and one "recreational speeder" which are supposedly capable of reaching 15,000 feet. In addition to providing tethered jetpack experiences for customers at its Moorpark location, it has conducted flights around the world — including in Los Angeles.
However, when reached for comment by Mashable, JetPack Aviation's CEO David Mayman said it wasn't them or any of their jetpacks.
"It wasn't us," Mayman said. "We're trying to work out who it was as well, or what it was."
"We don't sell our jetpacks, and we know where they are," he added. So it's not like someone could be using one of them without the company's knowledge.
In fact, Mayman has doubts that it was a jetpack at all. First of all, he said there are only a handful of companies that make jetpacks capable of reaching such heights, and he doesn't think any of them would be "stupid enough" to "risk the whole industry" with a stunt that endangers the pilot, aircraft, and passengers.
What's more, Mayman said that what the pilots describe is technologically impossible without a parachute landing. The jetpacks that exist today can only operate for around 10 minutes, according to Mayman. That would be enough time to reach 3,000 feet and fly around for a bit, but then the pilot would need to descend with a parachute.
"I didn't hear any reports about a parachute coming down within LAX," Mayman said.
Instead, Mayman suspects that it was another type of flying device. His best guess? "It's more likely to be some sort of drone with a mannequin in it, maybe. But not a jetpack."
The plot thickens! Mashable's only other far-fetched guess? Elon Musk's SpaceX is based in Hawthorne, which is just South of LAX. SpaceX doesn't have a jetpack, but we wouldn't put a rogue test flight past Elon.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
UPDATE: Sept. 1, 2020, 6 p.m. PDT This story was updated with comments and information from JetPack Aviation CEO David Mayman.
Celebrate Aiko Herzig Yoshinaga’s Life on Sept. 2 at JANM
Conspiracy theories are clouding real vaccine passport concerns
Sony shutting down PSP store for good, but PS3 and Vita will live on
A 'Game of Thrones' prequel play is coming to Broadway
‘Love to Nippon’ to Mark 7th Anniversary of Tsunami
Mesmerizing image of black hole reveals magnetic field
Volkswagen confirms its name change to 'Voltswagen' was a bad April Fools' joke
Apple is giving its digital assistant Siri a much
Resources for Finding Your JA Roots
Apple might launch a rugged version of Apple Watch
JACL Responds to Convention Hotel’s Use of Slur on Receipt
How to give equal pay laws power
Monster Hunter's Switch debut is excellent but very hard for newcomers
Apple might launch a rugged version of Apple Watch
Nisei Week Smiles
'The Banishing' is a jumpy chiller packed with strange reflections and creepy dolls
Hulu's 'Everyone Is Doing Great' is a great pandemic binge: Interview
Twitter turns 15: The wildest twists in its tumultuous history
South Bay Scholars
FTC warns of coronavirus 'vaccine survey' scams
'The Art of Racing in the Rain' Review: Bring on the tearsHackers can ransomware your fancy digital cameraRussian hackers show why you need to change your office printer password‘Games of Thrones’ and ‘Harlots’ actor Alfie Allen wants James Bond to kill him nextSnap goes 3D with Spectacles 3, coming this fallLady Gaga's foundation to fund projects in Dayton, El Paso, and GilroySamsung reveals $999 Galaxy Book S laptop with 23Macaulay Culkin has his own ideas about what a 'Home Alone' remake would look likeSoulCycle and Equinox try to distance themselves from Stephen Ross'Friends' hits theaters for 25th anniversary celebration AARP Sponsors East West Players’ “Takarazuka” Samurai Art Exhibit to Open at LACMA Tomorrow Holiday Cheer at JANM Kotohajime at JACCC on Jan. 4 Entries Sought for 2nd Little Tokyo Short Story Contest ‘Hidden Legacy’ Coming to Portland The Spirit of Okinawan Dance 'Uzumasa Limelight' to Open at Royal, Playhouse 7; Director, Producer to Speak New Service Offers Personal Guides to Destinations in Japan NOODLES: A Favorite Halloween Costume
0.217s , 10027.0703125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【??????】Enter to watch online.Someone just flew a damn jetpack alongside airplanes at LAX,Global Perspective Monitoring
