With spare components and derring-do, Ottawa's personal Rocketman ...

An Ottawa man is popping heads on frozen stretches of the Ottawa River with a do-it-yourself gadget he jokingly refers to as his "jetpack."

in fact, Brydon Gibson's fuel-powered, propeller-driven invention is greater Rona than NASA.

"I got my fingers on some weed whacker motors and that i figured strapping one on my lower back and making skating a bit bit lazier would [be] a good suggestion," talked about Gibson, 24.

i used to be definitely getting a bit scared at one aspect because i was going a little too quick.​​​​​​- Brydon Gibson

He bolted a 38-centimetre propeller to a wooden frame, normal a throttle out of a brake tackle and cable salvaged from a ten-velocity bike, then brought padded straps reduce from a dollar store backpack. He laced up his skates, and Gibson was zipping along at speeds accomplishing 40 km/h. 

WATCH | The 'jetpack' in motion:

Brydon Gibson used a discarded weedwhacker, bicycle ingredients and backpack straps to create a homemade jetpack, which helps him cruise alongside the Ottawa River on his skates. 1:01

"i was really getting a bit scared at one aspect as a result of i used to be going a little too speedy," the inventor admitted.

There are not any brakes, however there is kill swap to cut the energy "when something goes incorrect," noted Gibson. "it's in reality a little finicky."

The six-kilogram 'jetpack' contains a weed whacker engine, a model plane propeller and some scavenged parts from a ten-velocity bike. The green straps had been cut from a dollar save backpack. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

here's not the first generation of Gibson's invention. As a teen, he constructed an electrical propulsion gadget in his fogeys' basement, notwithstanding it on no account obtained to the trying out part.

"Ever since i was a child … i have been taking apart issues I discovered on the side of the road, making a multitude of my folks basement, spreading electronics in all places," he said. 

The throttle is crafted from a MacGyvered bike brake and cable. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)

Gibson has built far flung-managed airplanes and boats, and once even tried a homemade hovercraft.

"it be kind of gotten me into some tough scenarios.… I've almost misplaced a finger during the past, however I've in no way had any severe accidents yet," spoke of Gibson, looking around the frozen expanse of the Ottawa River for some timber to knock on. 

Ottawa Morning4:21With spare parts and derring-do, Ottawa's personal 'Rocketman' reinvents skating

Brydon Gibson is turning heads on frozen stretches of the Ottawa River with a home made gadget he jokingly refers to as his "jetpack." definitely, the gas-powered, propeller-driven gizmo is greater Rona than NASA. 4:21

Gibson's obsession with tinkering led him to examine computing device systems engineering at Carleton school. He now works for Blackberry QNX, a corporation that focuses on self sufficient car technology.

he is working from home all over the pandemic, and the restrictions have intended he's had loads of time on his palms.

"Spare time with COVID, [and] no longer seeing any individual? i'm doing this as a substitute," talked about Gibson.

Gibson, left, awaits liftoff as buddy Paolo Campanaro, correct, give the propeller a spin. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

aside from the unreliable kill change, Gibson has constructed few security precautions into his newest equipment, as a minimum for now.

"there is no cage [around the propeller], there is no the rest. this is only a prototype. ultimately maybe i may add some defense, but now not at the moment," he referred to.

there's one other design limitation: a 2d person is required to get the gizmo going, "because when it's strapped to your back you cannot reach the propeller to birth it," defined Gibson. "You simply spin the propeller through hand the historic fashioned way, like they did on the old planes."

Gibson's buddy Paolo Campanaro is chuffed to help out. "Ever considering that I met him, he is all the time had these loopy innovations occurring," spoke of Campanaro admiringly. "he's my genius buddy."

Jess Gibson, 26, tries out her little brother's invention on a frozen lake southwest of Ottawa. (Brydon Gibson)

Campanaro, 21, has also taken a spin with the gadget.

"or not it's form of quality to not have to use any leg muscle groups while you are going down the river fairly speedy. it's simply a different invention we will all have a blast on," he spoke of. "actually, or not it's similar to skating with out doing any work."

Gibson turned into able to convince his mom and sister to provide it a go, however anyway Campanaro, hasn't had a whole lot good fortune recruiting testers backyard the family unit. He thinks he knows why.

"probably the protection," Gibson reasoned, notwithstanding he pointed accessible were no severe mishaps yet.

He did get some rave reports when his sister posted a TikTok video of her brother zipping throughout the ice.

"I got a couple of marriage proposals apparently," observed Gibson. "I bet she has pals that are into engineers."

Gibson plans to enhance on his design. 'larger propeller, more thrust, extra speed, greater enjoyable.' (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)

Gibson continues to be satisfactory-tuning his invention, and says he has plans for advancements.

"greater propeller, extra thrust, greater speed, extra fun," he spoke of. "this is what I do. this is my existence."