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The jetpack is happening! The jetpack is happening!

We've been promised it for decades but now it seems as though the future is finally here and it’s jetpack-shaped.

The man to thank is Glenn Martin – he's been beavering away for over 30 years in an attempt to get us all whooshing around in the sky, and now he reckons he's cracked it.

His 12th prototype should be available in 2016, with the first batch being released to emergency response services - such as ambulance staff, firefighters, police and search and rescue teams.

Martin's company has partnered with emergency response group Avwatch, which develops a range of airborne rescue technologies and is looking to see how jetpacks could fit into that.

"The Martin Jetpack is a disruptive technology, much like the helicopter was when first developed, with substantial capabilities which will be very complementary to our solutions we can offer our customers," said Avwatch's Chris Kluckhuhn.

We're immediately thinking that the days of needing the fire engine's long ladder to release stuck cats from up trees might soon be over.

Shortly afterwards, Martin's pioneering invention should be available to individuals.

The latest Martin Jetpack has a maximum speed of 74 km/h (46 mph) and a flight time of 30 minutes using a full tank of premium gas.

You should be able to cover a distance of around 20 miles during that 30 minute ride, so there's no chance of you using your jetpack to pop over to New York for a bit of shopping.

The specially-customised First Responder Jetpack is set to cost around $200,000 (about £128,000).

But don't worry if that seems a lot – the recreational version for standard citizens will only set you back $150,000 (that’s £95,000)

Oh… that's "plus delivery, taxes and duties" apparently.