SOURCE: AFI
In a daring New Year’s celebration, Prateek Dhawan, co-founder of the innovative Indian aerospace startup DG Propulsion, decided to combine the thrill of the new year with the prowess of his company’s latest achievements. Following the successful test of their 100kg engine, Dhawan chose to test the limits of fun and physics by attaching the DG J40, a smaller but still potent jet engine, to a bicycle. Here’s how the adventure unfolded:
The experiment began with the DG J40 at idle thrust. The bike moved forward smoothly, giving Dhawan and the small crowd of onlookers confidence in the setup. The engine’s hum was a gentle reminder of the technology’s capability, even in its least aggressive setting.
Encouraged by the initial success, Dhawan took a U-turn, setting up for another straight run. The bike handled well, and there was a palpable sense of excitement in the air. The DG J40 was proving to be a stable addition to the bicycle, at least at low power.
The real test came when Dhawan decided to push the bike to its limits. With the engine at full throttle, the bike rocketed forward with an unexpected surge of speed. The sheer thrust from the DG J40 overwhelmed the bicycle’s braking system, leading to a moment of panic as Dhawan found himself hurtling towards a parked car, brakes failing to respond.
In a moment that seemed to stretch time, Dhawan managed to reduce the throttle just enough to swerve and dodge the car. It was a close call that left everyone, including Dhawan, with a rush of adrenaline and a story for the ages. His quick thinking prevented what could have been a disastrous New Year’s stunt.
With the engine finally shut down, Dhawan relied on the bicycle’s compromised brakes to bring him to a stop. The incident served as a stark reminder of the power contained within the DG J40, even when applied to something as seemingly simple as a bicycle.
Reflecting on the experience, Dhawan shared, “Even the DG J40 delivers more thrust than you’d expect on a bike. It’s a testament to the precision and power we’re engineering into our products.” The stunt, while risky, highlighted the capabilities of DG Propulsion’s technology in a very public and entertaining manner.