It began as a ''secret project'' in a Dunedin student flat 34 years ago.
And finally, next Easter, the Martin Jetpack will get its first public outing in New Zealand as a fully fledged, flying wonder, during the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
The jetpack was dreamed up one night in 1981 by University of Otago student Glenn Martin on his way home from the Cook Hotel to his flat on the corner of Howe and Castle Sts.
Now it is a product ready for sale around the world.
The jetpack has been to the Wanaka airshow before, but only as a static display.
This time it will be seen flying at up to 74kmh, at an altitude of up to 1000m, for 30 minutes.
The jetpack takes off and lands vertically and can be flown by a pilot or by remote control.
Show general manager Ed Taylor told the Otago Daily Times this week the jetpack had been flown at public events overseas, but not previously in New Zealand.
The Martin Aircraft Company describes its jetpack as ''disruptive technology'' in the same way helicopters were when they were first developed.
Company chief executive Peter Coker said discussions were under way with various authorities to enable the jetpack to conduct a series of public flights.
''The company has been able to advance these discussions as a result of achieving a number of key technical milestones,'' he said.
The Wanaka show and other events would provide the public with a first-hand chance to see the jetpack's flight characteristics and advantages over traditional aircraft such as helicopters, he said.
The jetpack is seen as having potential for search and rescue, and military, recreational and commercial purposes.
Mr Martin grew up in Dunedin, but moved to Christchurch after university.
He unveiled the jetpack for the first time in July, 2008, at America's Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin, with his son Harrison at the controls.
Mr Martin explained to the ODT after that flight why he had kept the jetpack secret for so long.
One of the reasons was that he and his electrician father, the late Neil Martin, worked on many projects in the garage of the family's Wakari home and he was brought up ''pretty much that you don't skite''.
His first prototype used a Honda lawnmower engine, and most of his prototypes ended up at the tip.
In June, three months after the company Mr Martin founded was listed on the Australian stock exchange, he quit as a director.
The New Zealand Herald reported a difference of opinion over the commercialisation of the jetpack.
Mr Martin said it had been his dream to build a personal jetpack that everyday people could use, but the company had been increasingly focused on developing an aircraft for professional applications such as police and search and rescue.
''I'm an inventor of a jetpack ... that people want to fly around in,'' Mr Martin told the New Zealand Herald.
''It wasn't any fun for me any more.''
Mr Martin retains a 15.9% stake in the company.
The company expects to deliver its first jetpacks to customers later next year.
Show manager Mandy Deans said Mr Martin had indicated he would like to be at the show but there was no definite arrangement yet.
