By Derek Baldwin, Chief Reporter www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: Dubai has ordered 20 new jetpacks for high-flying firefighters to battle blazes on upper floors of tall skyscrapers, according to a New Zealand aviation company.
The aircraft can stay in the air for more than 45 minutes and reach altitudes of 3,000 feet giving firefighter pilots the ability to douse fires such as the February 21 fire at Torch Tower where flames raced up the exterior of the 79-floor, 352 metre-tall residential building in Dubai Marina.
According to Martin Aircraft Company Limited (Martin Aircraft), the firm inked a deal with Dubai Civil Defence to also include two simulators and operational support and training. Officials didn’t release the value of the order but at $250,000 for each jetpack, the deal could exceed Dh18.3 million ($5 million), not including extras.
Delivery is set for next year.
In a statement, the firm said a memorandum “was signed on November 9, 2015 at the Dubai Air Show and marks a significant step forward for the advanced delivery of first responder services in the United Arab Emirates. The signing ceremony was attended by Lt Col Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, Director Operations, on behalf of Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director-General of Civil Defence, and senior representatives of both the New Zealand and Dubai government, along with the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Martin Aircraft Company Peter Coker.” More info
