You don't need a TWR anywhere near 1.0. You need that to take off vertically, but if you are willing to jump out of a helicopter you can probably get away with TWRs closer to 0.35 to maintain level flight.

Even the Helicopter may not be necessary if you can start with a BASE jump. Or set up a catapult.

Preferably an ACME catapult.

No. Their products are terrible, please, just trust me, I've tried them all.

If things go poorly, just open your umbrella.

Or a kite!

You could use droppable skids or wheels for takeoff, if you don't mind enduring flight at, what, 60 knots at least, in ground effect, with your nose about a foot away from the runway. I can't imagine any sane person doing that, but this guy would probably have had the time of his life.

Yes, indeed, but a jetpack specifically refers to a device that is able to hover and take off vertically. But yes, you could make it even cheaper and lighter then, but would need something to help you take off.

But you have to have a helicopter pilot around who don’t know it’s not okay you do it, which basically has zero chance.