Technology breakthroughs attract aviator to Martin Jetpack

Technology breakthroughs attract top aviator to head Martin Jetpack Company

The Martin Aircraft Company announced the appointment Peter Coker as its new Chief Executive Officer today. Company Chair, Jenny Morel, said the company’s ability to attract a renowned international aviation expert was due to the significant technological breakthroughs that the business has achieved with its jetpack.

“We have made a number of flight technology advancements in recent times, including the testing of new ducted fan technology, the development of a ballistic parachute, an impact-absorbing undercarriage and carbon fibre pilot module. We have dramatically increased the overall performance of the Martin Jetpack and now with Mr Coker’s extensive networks and experience across a broad spectrum of industry sectors on board, the next step is to launch the jetpack to commercial markets around the world.”

Coker has a distinguished aviation career in New Zealand and overseas. Most recently he was General Manager for Lockheed Martin Global Inc (New Zealand) as well as Head of International Business Development Mission Systems and Training for Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Coker amassed over 5,500 flying hours across 20 different types of aircraft for the Royal Air Force. He achieved the rank of Air Commodore and was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Coker has been a long-time ‘observer’ of the Martin Jetpack and says his decision to join the company was spurred by the “spectacular leap forward” in the aircraft’s technological capabilities.

“I’ve been watching the company for a number of years now. The first footage I saw [of the Martin Jetpack] was interesting to me as an aviator, but it was clearly limited in its commercial application. Recently, the company achieved a number of flight technology breakthroughs with their latest generation Jetpack and that’s when I really sat up and took notice. The team have created an aircraft that is fast, agile, and stable with a huge number of applications across a number of sectors. I’m really excited to be leading this company forward and I have no doubt that, in the near future, the Martin Jetpack will be in use throughout the world."

Over recent months, the Martin Jetpack has successfully undertaken an extensive unmanned flying programme, 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 programme, enabling the company to prove its technology and undertake further manned flight in a range of challenging and diverse conditions.

About Martin Jetpack
The Martin Jetpack is the world’s first practical jetpack; it is easy to fly and meets stringent safety criteria.

The Martin Jetpack prototype is currently operational and undergoing remote control flight testing. The Martin Jetpack has achieved manned flight in controlled settings and the company will extend this testing to become a regular part of its operations by mid-2013.

Based on the current test performance, Martin Aircraft Co. expects that the manned flight results will catapult our readiness towards the first commercial release of the First Responder Jetpack, planned for late 2013; after which a slightly modified version - the Personal Martin Jetpack – will be released in 2015. This will transform the future of personal flight.

About Peter Coker
Peter Coker was born in Hampshire, England and educated in Nassau, Bahamas.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 as a pilot, amassing 5,500 flying hours on 20 different types of aircraft. He is both an A grade Qualified Flying Instructor and a Qualified Weapons Instructor.

He became CEO of Royal Air Force Leuchars in October 1999 and subsequently as an Air Commodore he became the UK Military Flying Training Integrated Project Team Leader when it was formed and was responsible and accountable for formulating and introducing a tri Service Military Flying Training System.

After leaving the RAF, Coker emigrated to New Zealand and formed his own consultancy business which included the advising of Industry and Governments around the world on energy, transport, turn-key training and logistics.

His most recent role was as General Manager for Lockheed Martin Global Inc (New Zealand) as well as Head of International Business Development Mission Systems and Training for Asia Pacific.

Coker lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society; Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management; Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and an Upper Freeman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators.

ENDS

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