14 DAY TRIAL // Jeremy Paxton chose to use a Jet Pack to travel 40 miles (65 km) along the Thames to work. The water-powered gadget propels him 30ft (9m) in the air, and can reach speeds of 25mph (40 kph).
The 51-year-old man works at the Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds, and resides on a boathouse in Marpledurham, near Reading. The River Thames connects the two locations, making it the perfect venue for Paxton to use his Jet Pack.
This unusual means of transportation was created by American company JetLev, the Daily Mail reports. It is manufactured under license in Germany, and it costs about £115,000 ($185,000).
Even though he could have bought a few high-range automobiles for the same price, Paxton was excited to pioneer it in Great Britain. The thrill seeker also has a pilot's license, and flies helicopters and planes. To avoid being stuck in traffic, he used to take his boat to work every day.
The manufacturer has asked him to be their British “test pilot” and document his experiences in a “Pilot User Guide.”
Paxton is a real estate developer and investor in eco-friendly luxury second-homes in the Cotswolds region. He believes the Jet Pack to be an environmentally friendly device.
“I’m the first person in Britain to buy one. I just like alternative means of transport,” he says.
The concept for the Jet Lev was put forward by Chinese-born Canadian inventor Raymond Li in 2000, who reportedly sketched it on post-it first.
The company claims the gadget can cruise for two to three hours before refueling, in which time the pilot can cover 80 miles. It can be flown by pilots 1.5 metres to 2metres in height (4,5 - 6,5 feet), weighing between 40kg and 150kg (88 - 130lbs).
Mr. Paxton reports it can keep you hovering over water or even touching it. You can learn to fly with the Jet Pack in around 15 minutes, and anyone can become a master after 10 hours of flight, as the commands are very easy to use.
“If you want to go right you put down your right hand you can do tight turns. After a few goes, you get the hang of it It’s like riding a bicycle. You have a "kill switch" around your wrist to cut the power,” he says.