Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE FOR PARTICIPANTS?
The minimum age to fly the jetpack solo is 12, the minimum age to fly the tandem jetpack with one of our Certified Flight Instructors is 5. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present for the flight and they will have to sign a parental release form.
WHAT ARE THE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS?
For solo flights, pilots must be between 5’0″ and 7’0″ (minors must be at least 5’5″), with a weight between 85 lbs and 330 lbs (minors must be at least 125 lbs). For tandem flights, pilots must be between 3’6″ and 5’5″, with a weight between 35 lbs and 100 lbs.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION?
Flights are available to be booked from 10AM to 5PM, but please be aware that we required you to arrive at our office 30 MINUTES BEFORE your flight time, so if you are flying at 10AM, your group will need to show up at 9AM. For special events or groups, please call our office at +1(619) 431-4236.
WHERE IS JETPACK AMERICA LOCATED?
We have flight centers in San Diego and Pahrump (approximately one hour west of Las Vegas). Please see our Contact page for maps and directions.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JETPACK?
First-time pilot flights start at $99, but there are a variety of flight experiences to suit every personality. Check our Book Now page to read detailed descriptions of each flight experience.
IS THERE A GUARANTEE?
YES! We are so confident you’re going to fly and have a great time, we offer an industry-leading guarantee, which covers your flight, any add-ons (video, photo, etc.) and your overall experience. Rest assured, you are flying with the best when you fly with Jetpack America!
MY FLIGHT TIME IS 20 MINUTES. WILL I FLY THE FULL 20 MINUTES?
Your flight time begins as you strap-in to the Jetboard or Jetpack. There is also a 1 minute “swim test” that is required before flying the Jetpack. This set-up time is vital to you becoming a proficient hydroflight pilot and can take up about 3 to 7 minutes of your flight time on your first flight.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES IS IT SIMILAR TO?
While there is truly no way to describe jetpacking with words (you simply have to experience it for yourself), we say that it is like a combination of jet skiing, skydiving, parasailing and even scuba diving. Obviously, the jet ski provides the propulsion to get you flying, there is the exhilaration of skydiving, you’ll get fantastic airborne views of the area around you like in parasailing and when you dive under the water, it has elements of scuba diving.
DO I HAVE TO BE STRONG TO FLY?
No, you do not need to be strong to fly the jetpack. Your arms only need to apply a few ounces of effort to control the control arms (which in turn direct the nozzles). Some pilots report arm and shoulder fatigue after the first flight, but this is mostly caused by over-tensing and can be avoided by simply relaxing and loosening the grip on the control arms. The more relaxed you are and let the jetpack carry you, the less effort you will feel. Our jetpack has been flown by an 85-year old retiree, two paraplegics and a quadriplegic, proving that it’s not a sport that requires tremendous strength.
WILL I GET WET?
Yes, your flight session starts and ends in the water, so you will definitely get wet and you will have to submerge your head under the water to demonstrate your ability to get yourself upright in the pack if you fall in the water. This “swim test” must be passed before you are able to fly. Please watch our training video for more information.
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SWIM?
While it is not a requirement that you know how to swim, it is very important that you are at least comfortable in the water. Since you’ll be wearing a life vest and the jetpack itself floats, there is no risk of sinking, but you will have your head submerged at various points in the flight, so you will need to pass our “swim test” before your flight to show that you are able to get yourself upright in the pack after being face down. Please watch our training video for more information. Please note, there will be no refunds given for customers who quit early or cannot successfully pass the “swim test”.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO FLY?
The great thing about the jetpack is its accessibility. For most people, if you want to fly, you can fly. With that being said, we do recommend several things: You should be in good health and physical condition. You should have no history of any heart conditions. You should not fly if you are pregnant. You should have good vision (without the need for corrective glasses, since you may not be able to wear them in the water). You should have good hearing to understand the instructor’s commands in the walkie-talkie helmet.
IF I HAVE A DISABILITY, CAN I STILL FLY?
Yes! We pride ourselves on giving everyone a chance to fly, so if you have a disability of any sort, please let us know and we’ll do our best to recommend the appropriate flight experience for you to get you flying! To date, we’ve flown amputees, paraplegics, deaf customers, partially blind customers and even one quadriplegic. While we obviously can’t guarantee we’ll be able to get you flying, we can promise you that we’ll do everything in our power to show you the wonders of personal flight!
CAN THE WATER JETS HURT MY ARMS AND LEGS?
The pressure in the nozzles can reach 60 psi (slightly higher than a standard fire hose), far from the pressure generated by pressure washers which operate between 1,800 to over 3,000 psi. Pilots can safely put their hands and feet in the jet streams with no major discomfort, but it is advised to keep clear of the jets, which can expel up to 1000 gallons of water per minute.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN TO FLY?
Most first-time pilots are airborne within their first 5-10 minutes in the pack, although each pilot’s learning curve will be different. The key to the fast learning curve is the use of our walkie-talkie helmets, which allow our Certified Flight Instructors to stay in communication and provide feedback throughout the flight, and our remote control throttle system, which allows our Instructors to remotely control the pilot’s thrust (the amount of water coming out of the pack) and therefore control the height. With the Instructor handling the throttle, first-time pilots can focus on learning the fundamentals of steering and control and get flying sooner.
IS IT VERY NOISY?
The jetpack is generally quieter than a comparable personal watercraft. There is a small hiss from the sound of the water exiting the jetpack nozzles and the water jets do make splashing sounds when they enter the water, but the boat unit has better sound insulation than a standard personal watercraft and uses a four stroke engine with noise abatement systems.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FALL?
The nice thing about a water jetpack is the fact that you will be flying over water, so any falls will simply result in a splashdown into the water, after which you will float to the surface due to the buoyancy of the jetpack and life vest. Even if you fall from the maximum height of 30 feet (8.5 m), you will be entering the water at less than 30 mph, and you will be protected by the seat, back rest, body harness, life vest and other protective equipment. Hundreds of times each year, thousands of platform divers jump from 10 m (33 feet), with no protective equipment, and few serious injuries occur.
WHAT IF I WEAR PRESCRIPTION GLASSES OR CONTACTS?
You must have clear vision in order to fly. If you wear prescription glasses, you should use sport straps to secure them. If you wear contact lenses, you should always close your eyes if you splash down into the water to avoid losing them. Goggles are not recommended, as they can easily come off while in the water.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO FLY?
There are three unique sensations when you fly the jetpack. The most intriguing sensation is the feeling of weightlessness. As soon as sufficient lift is applied, you and the jetpack become weightless and levitate in the air, and even small amounts of force will move or turn you. You will feel some pressure from the saddle and the trapeze, but usually no more than from riding a bicycle. The second unique sensation is suspended height. Even if you are an airplane or helicopter pilot, few have ever experienced the sensation of being suspended up to three-stories high with no visible support from above or beneath your feet. 30 feet may not sound very high but it can seem a lot higher in a jetpack, and the unique perspective from that height is incredible. The third unique sensation is the absolutely amazing three dimensional freedom of movement. Once you learn how to fly, you can travel in any direction, at any height, and at any speed that the system will carry you.
IS IT “JET PACK” OR “JETPACK”?
The concept of a pack you put on your back to jet into the air has been around since the 1950’s, but it’s only recently had a resurgence with the invention of the hydro jet pack/jetpack. Similar to the backpack, which was most likely originally referred to as a “back pack”, the “jetpack” term will most likely become more and more widely-used and “jet pack” will slowly fade out of the vernacular.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
If you must cancel or reschedule your flight within 48 hours of your confirmed flight, you will incur a fee of 50% of the total amount paid.
If a single flight in a group must be canceled within 48 hours, the remaining guests must use the flight time that would have been used, or be charged a 50% fee based on the individual flight.
There is no charge for cancellation or reschedule if made outside of 48 hours.
WHAT MANEUVERS CAN I EXPECT TO DO DURING MY FIRST FLIGHT?
While there are no guarantees, most first-time pilots learn all of the basics of jetpack flight, such as deep-water take-offs and landings, elevation control, and steering, but also get into the more advanced maneuvers, such as walking on water, underwater submarines, donut turns, low hovers and no-handed flying. Returning pilots can get instruction on expert maneuvers, like 360-spins, backward flying, dock take-offs and landings, corkscrews and backflips.
WHO SHOULD TRY JETPACKING?
Anyone looking for a new adventure! If you’ve already tried surf lessons, zip-line (or is it zipline?) tours, Flyboarding, snorkeling, etc., jetpacking is your next activity. Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, you will still enjoy flying the jet pack. We’ve had pilots in their 80’s as well as customers in wheelchairs who’ve learned to fly and had an absolute blast, so come on out and give it a try!
ARE WETSUITS INCLUDED?
No, wetsuits are not included in the price of the flight experiences, but they can be rented for $5.
ARE THERE PHOTO AND VIDEO PACKAGES AVAILABLE?
Yes, we have a photo/video package that you can purchase when you book your flight. Click HERE to pick your location and book your flight!
IS THERE FREE PARKING AT THE FACILITY?
Yes, both of our locations have free parking. Please note: Parking at our San Diego flight center can be very scarce, so please allow enough time to get to the location and get a parking spot.
WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!?
Click HERE to book your jetpack flight experience today!
