The real-life iron man: a new era of human flight

Driven by his joy for taking on supposedly near impossible challenges, Richard Browning, Founder and Chief Test Pilot has reimagined human flight by creating the first patented Jet Suit. Since its launch, over two billion people have experienced the brand, with video views at more than 60 million within its launch week. Gravity Industries has executed 150 flight events across 35 countries.

It began with testing the power of one jet engine, which moved quicky to two, then three engines. This then became six micro jet engines attached to the body whilst the team learn the arrangements, alignments and control from scratch. Now, the Jet Suit flies successfully with five engines. The five jet engines produce over 1,000bhp, resembling those found on a jet fighter. The thrust to weight ratio stands at 1.3 which is even more than most combat aircrafts. Launch and landing anywhere is enabled by vectored thrust via arm control which provides precise manoeuvrability in all weather conditions.

Each gas turbine propulsion assembly generates 175 horsepower, collectively providing 800N maximum thrust on the hand propulsions and 400N thrust through the body propulsion system. This enables the Jet Suit to augment the body’s natural balance and manoeuvrability to achieve its top speed. The suit is controlled by vectoring, meaning you control your flight by altering the direction of your arms.

The Jet Suit’s current speed record is 85.06mph, which is also the Guinness World Record for Jet Suit speed. It can fly easily for between three and four minutes with the capacity for up to 10 minutes at up to 85mph. The Jet Suit therefore has the potential to fly for eight miles before refuelling, however most of the company’s flights are less than two minutes long. Gravity Industries works closely with the CAA and FAA to ensure it respects any existing rules.

Gravity Industries employs polymer, aluminium and titanium 3D printing processes to manufacture the system.

Entertainment and niche mobility

Although it would be cool to travel around like Iron Man, Gravity Industries recognises that the company is in its early stages, and the Jet Suit is not an efficient way of moving around at this stage. For now, the company will remain in the entertainment and niche mobility sectors for the foreseeable future, however it has not ruled out the possibilities of the electric or winged version becoming more mainstream as the technology continues its rapid advance.

In the entertainment world, Gravity Industries offers commercial flight training to those who wish to experience true human flight. Its International Race Series also offers a new dimension in sports entertainment, celebrating the human endeavour and the spirit of adventure.

This doesn’t take away from the vision of the company to make inspiring technology accessible to everyone and its prominent role in encouraging people to work in STEM subjects. The company prides itself in being an almost Marvel-character manifestation of what STEM can deliver. It does not just encourage the passion in STEM careers, it demonstrates it, putting it at the forefront of young, curious minds in an immersive way.

The whole team understands the importance of inspiring the next generation of designers, creators, makers and leaders through doing, that is, demonstrating STEM in an immersive way.

The Jet Suit could be used for very precise human mobility over a few kilometres, including search and rescue, military, entertainment and racing applications. Essentially, it is used to provide unique human 3D freedom.

Still to come

Gravity Industries isn’t afraid of failure when it comes to engineering and there is lots in the pipeline at Gravity Industries, with the main projects being the electric version of the Jet Suit and wing-enabled system. The company is still on a journey with its product to ensure it is the best it can be. The Jet Suit must be as reliable, robust and simple as possible, hence the company is continuing to develop it.