The Martin Jetpack was a small VTOL device with two ducted fans to provide lift and a 2.0-litre (120 cu in) V4 piston 200-horsepower (150 kW) petrol engine.

However, the Martin Jetpack did not meet the US Federal Aviation Administration's classification of an ultralight aircraft; it met the weight and fuel restrictions, but it not the power-off stall speed requirement.

The intention was to create a specific classification for the jetpack; it used the same petrol used in cars, was relatively easy to fly, and was expected to be cheaper to maintain and operate than other ultralight aircraft.

The Martin Jetpack was designed to be torque neutral (it had no tail rotor, no collective, no articulating or foot pedals) to simplify flying.

[7][8] A second version, designated prototype P12, of the Martin Jetpack received approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to begin manned flight testing in August 2013.

In 2015, the company as part of its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:MJP) stated that the jetpack could be available on the market in late 2016; it was expected to sell for about US$250,000.

The first production model was aimed at military and first responder emergency crews, such as police, firefighters, and medical personnel, to enable them to have faster response times, to reach areas inaccessible by road, and to get to the top of tall buildings quickly.