Over recent months, the Martin Jetpack has successfully undertaken an extensive unmanned flying program, preceding its next manned flight, which will occur in New Zealand skies later this year. Coker's first task as CEO will be to drive the new flight demonstration and testing program, enabling the company to prove its technology and undertake further manned flight in a range of challenging and diverse conditions.  

The Jetpack is a small VTOL device, with two ducted fans that provide lift. It is powered by a 2.0 liter V4 piston 200-horsepower gasoline (premium) engine. The pilot straps onto it and does not sit. The device is too large to be worn while walking, so it cannot be classed as a backpack device. It does not have a jet turbine or rocket motor; the "Jet" in "Jetpack" refers to the production of two jets of air from its ducted fans. The Martin Jetpack does not meet the Federal Aviation Administration's classification of an ultralight aircraft; it meets weight and fuel restrictions, but cannot meet the power-off stall speed requirement.  

It uses the same gasoline used in cars, is relatively easy to fly, and is cheaper to maintain and operate than other ultralight aircraft. Most helicopters require a tail rotor to counteract the rotor torque; this and the articulated head complicate flying, construction and maintenance enormously. The Jetpack is designed to be torque neutral there is no tail rotor, no collective, no articulating or foot pedals and this simplifies flying dramatically. Pitch and roll are controlled by one hand, yaw and the throttle by the other.