Glenn Martin recently unveiled his invention at the AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and is now seeking to bring it to a bigger audience. So he has put the chance to become the first outside the development team to fly it up for sale on eBay.

Mr Martin, from New Zealand, says the 200-horsepower Martin Jetpack can reach heights of up to 8,000ft. However, test flights will initially be limited to three to four feet at a maximum speed of 6mph.

Anyone over 18 who holds a current driver's licence and weighs less than 90kg (14.1 stone) can bid. Bidding had reached the equivalent of £19,000 with less than two days to go before the end of the auction.

The company says it is "a flight system where we can bring almost anybody in and, with just a small amount of training, they can be flying the Martin Jetpack with high levels of confidence and safety. This is your chance to make aviation history; your own 'Wright brothers' moment."

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