William Thomas a Canadian investigative journalist was on Coast to Coast AM the beginning of this month and spoke about airships. Coast to Coast AM is a syndicated radio talk show in the United States. Read the Wikipedia article for more background information on Coast to Coast AM. The radio show can be listened to again via these two youtube playlists:
Informations given in the show are nothing really new, a few false claims for example that the Zeppelin NT can carry 21 People instead of 12 but that might have been just a number mixup. The most interesting part is when Robert Rist from Dynalifter gets a chance to talk about the project, stating the the project is alive and that they are working on the prototype. So it seems the project is not dead yet eventhough their first prototype got so serverely damaged.
William Thomas also wrote a number of articles that are available from his website, I have just skimmed them but they might be worth a read as he covers a broad spectrum of general Airship Information, overviews about the companies currently in business and looks at the future possibilities of airships for passenger travel and their impact on climate change. He covers the Zeppelin NT from Zeppelin Luftschiff Technik (ZLT), Airship Ventures, the Voyager Airship of 21st Century Airships, the Dynalifter of Ohio Airships and Worldwide Aeros with their Aeroscraft. Here are his articles:
This year seems to be a very successful year for Airships. After many posts about the Zeppelin NT in the last few weeks and months, we are now happy that the Skyship that was previously in the news as the Ron Paul Blimp and also made a little trip to Trinidad & Tobago is now heading for a mission to protect the coast between Florida and Cuba. Airship Management Services will be working with theUnited States Coast Guard please read their press release here:
Airship to Patrol South Florida Straits KEY WEST, Fla. -- The Navy, in coordination with the Coast Guard and the recently created National Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness (OGMSA), will conduct a six-week-long series of evaluations off Florida's southern coast of an airship in a maritime surveillance role this summer. Several recent studies have indicated the utility and potential cost effectiveness of airships in this role. This demonstration is an effort to examine the subject further. The lighter than air platform will fly patrols for up to 8 hours to test both the systems and crew mission loading and fatigue factors. The airship, a Skyship 600, which is owned and operated by Airship Management Services, Inc. (AMS) and leased by NAVAIR PMA-262, Patuxent River, MD, was configured for this mission with the assistance of the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC. It is manned by a three-person crew, including two pilots and a crew member. They will receive operational, technical and administrative support from both Coast Guard Sector Key West and Naval Air Station Key West . AIRSHIP FACTS The Skyship 600 is a 6,797 cubic meter (240,000 cubic feet), helium-filled airship. Over the years it has proven itself an excellent platform for a variety of missions. Capable of persistent surveillance, communications relay, data-gathering, scientific monitoring and sampling, or test and evaluation of new equipment, the long endurance of the airship allows it to remain on station far longer than helicopters while providing a solid, vibration free platform for equipment. The airship is also a very cost-effective airborne platform for sensor applications. The ability to deploy to an area of operation, lift a sizeable payload and provide a stable platform for sensors with long endurance is unique among most airborne vehicles. Boasting a large cabin, which incorporates a lavatory, the Skyship 600 can carry a wide range of equipment and its operators (or up to 12 passengers). It has been demonstrated that the ship can provide endurance for up to 52 hours without refueling. Furthermore, the use of safe, non-flammable helium keeps fuel consumption very low and the airship environmentally friendly. The Skyship 600 is also one of the safest forms of transport in the world. The Skyship 600 is operated by a crew of 20 personnel consisting of two pilots, three engineers and 15 ground crew who bear responsibility for all aspects of the safe and effective operation of the airship. While on the ground, the ship's systems are monitored by a watchman located at the airship at all times. The joint airship experiment for maritime surveillance between the Navy and Coast Guard reflects the cooperative strategy for 21st century seapower between the sea services. The Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandants of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard unveiled the cooperative maritime strategy at the International Seapower Symposium in Newport, R.I. on Oct 17, 2007. The strategy will bring the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard even closer together in working to protect and sustain the United States. _____________________________________________________ Guarding the coast and saving lives since 1790 -- the United States Coast Guard. More than one million lives saved.
Reuters also featured an article about the Skyship 600 on their website. The article is called "Blimp joins anti-smuggling patrols off Florida" and offers a little bit more background. Airship Management Services who are owning and operating the Airship were kind enough to send us a few pictures of the Airship as it leaves the Hangar showing clearly the Furuno Radar Antenna that is being used to patrol the coast. This project will hopefully prove again that airships are perfect for surveillance and patrolling.
The Website for the "Star Over London" is now online and you can go ahead an book your flights. The Zeppelin NT #4 is coming to London this summer from July 10th to August 21st, we talked about that earlier. Booking flights is possible through phone or email. You can also check out the three routes that the Zeppelin will take.
Each route is described with the sights that you will see as well as a map of the route. The Website also will provide up to date flight information in case flights have to be canceled due to bad weather. A hidden gem of the site is the FAQ especially the second half which contains technical information about the Zeppelin. For example:
Facts and Figures First flight: 18. September 1997. The airship that is coming is brand new and the Stella Artois: Star Over London is its maiden assignment. Engine: Lycoming IO-360 with 147kw/200PS Length: 75 ms max. Width: 19.5 m Height: 17,4m cover Volume: 8,425 M3 max. Start weight: 8,040 kg of additional load: 1,900 kg max. Speed: 73 mph max. Altitude: 2,600 ms max. Flight duration: 24h Range: 900km
Also in the FAQ you will find information about the Airfield that is used which is Damyns Hall Airfield. Here the website of the Aerodrome there. So even if you don't have the budget to take a flight you can do it like me, and click through the site and dream of that one day when you will have enough money to afford a flight in the Zeppelin NT. Anyone want to get me a flight as a gift? I promise I would take as much video and pictures as I could. The information about the Zeppelin flight over London has also been compressed onto a handout that I received from ZLT (Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik). Have a look, first the English version and following below the German version of the same document. The Zeppelin NT will of course fly from Friedrichshafen all the way to London during that time I am sure many people will see the Airship, so I am doing a call for pictures and videos, share them link them blog them. Let's make sure that everyone hears about the Zeppelin traveling to London. I will try to embed a Google Maps Widget into the Site and add Videos and Pictures which are geo tagged.
DON LON t VER ust 21s O AR h till Aug ST 10 t Jul y This exciting opportunity is presented by Stella Artois, and will be known as ‘Stella Artois: Star over London.’ Stella Artois is proud to celebrate its pioneering spirit by bringing a commercial airship to London, and invites you to take part in this unique, tranquil and timeless experience. The airship gives an unparalleled opportunity, the most formidable flight of a lifetime. Imagine you are hovering smoothly and quietly along the skyline of London. The cabin of the airship has 12 passenger panorama windows seats. The ship takes off vertically and the flight altitude is reached after a few minutes. Passengers are allowed to unfasten their seat belts and move around freely in the gondola. The all-round visibility with bird’s eye view, a quiet, soft sound of the engine – time stands still. Watch over the shoulder of the navigating pilots. Get ready to feel deep inside the sheer magnitude of emotion from being on board the largest passenger airship on earth. With the most recognised and famous landmarks along its route, the trip is breath taking and thoroughly extraordinary. Flight Routes and Prices The Airship will be based at Damyns Hall Airfield, near Upminster, just over 20 minutes by train from Fenchurch Street Station. · 30 minutes £185, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, Cutty Sark and Greenwich Palace. · 45 minutes £295, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, The Tower of London, HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge. · 60 minutes £360, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, The Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, The London Eye and Westminster. How to book For individual passenger bookings please call +44 (0) 207 1833 911 / 912 / 913 For Corporate or Group Bookings of ten or more please call +44 (0) 207 1833 024 The call centre lines open between 9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday. www.staroverlondon.co.uk
STA N NDO R LO ust VE ug RO 21. A li bi 0. Ju 1 s Diese besondere Gelegenheit wird Ihnen von Stella Artois unter „Stella Artois: Star Over London“ vorgestellt. Stella Artois ist sehr stolz darauf, seinen Pioniergeist mit dem Luftschiff über London unter Beweis zu stellen und lädt zu einem einzigartigen, friedvollen und zeitlosen Erlebnis ein. Dieses Luftschiff ermöglicht die einmalige Chance zu einem der beeindruckendsten Flugerlebnisse Ihres Lebens. Stellen Sie sich vor, Sie schweben sanft und ruhig entlang der Skyline von London. Die komfortable Kabine mit großen Panoramafenstern bietet Platz für bis zu 12 Fluggästen. Das Luftschiff hebt senkrecht ab, nach wenigen Minuten nur ist die Flughöhe erreicht. Die Sicherheitsgurte dürfen gelöst werden und Sie können sich frei in der Kabine des Luftschiffs bewegen. Der rundum Blick aus der Vogelperspektive, ein leises, angenehmes Surren der Motoren – die Zeit bleibt stehen. Lassen Sie sich verführen zu einem Erlebnis an Bord des weltweit größten Luftschiffs. Mit Londons weltberühmten Sehenswürdigkeiten auf der Route ist ein Flug mit dem Luftschiff atemraubend und absolut außergewöhnlich. Flugrouten und Preise: Das Luftschiff wird in der Nähe von Upminster in Damyns Hall stationiert sein, ungefähr 20 Minuten mit dem Zug von Fenchurch Street Stadion. Drei Rundflüge werden angeboten: · 30 minutes £185, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, Cutty Sark and Greenwich Palace. · 45 minutes £295, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, The Tower of London, HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge. · 60 minutes £360, Upminster to Canary Wharf, O2 Dome, The Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, The London Eye and Westminster. Alle Flüge folgen dem Verlauf der Thamse nach London, die Flughöhe beträgt 300m bei einer Fluggeschwindigkeit von ca. 70km/h. BUCHEN Telefonnummer Einzelbuchungen: +44 (0) 207 183 3911 / 3912 /3913 Telefonnummer Firmen- und Gruppenbuchungen: +44 (0) 207 1833 024 Das Callcenter ist 7 Tage die Woche von 9 Uhr bis 17 Uhr erreichbar. www.staroverlondon.co.uk
After last nights post about Stephane Roussons Zeppy Airship I had a thought stuck in my head for a long time and I just have to write about it. This is not a news item just a quick thought and a request for feedback. Especially if something similar has been tried before.
So what am I talking about I am talking about an aircraft that unites three different characteristics into one new design that is extremely fuel efficient. The aircraft that I have in my mind unites the features of a kite a glider and an airship.
The airship allows the aircraft to be big but at the same time light, it flies(hovers) without needing any propulsion. The kite can lift up with almost no effort with the wind and can act as a strong sail pulling the aircraft with the wind. The glider can glide downwards over a long distance even into the wind.
Is it possible to build something like that? Can a non propelled aircraft even fly against the wind and achieve any real ground speed or is propulsion needed?
The last weeks were filled with airship news. In fact there is so much more out there than I am able to write about but hey that's a good thing. So today is about the Zeppy airship by Stephane Rousson. He recently created quite the media buzz with his attempt to cross the English channel with his airship. Unfortunately he had to cancel because of to strong winds. This is what AFP reports:
Bad weather halts Frenchman's airship Channel crossing Jun 9, 2008
LILLE, France (AFP) — A Frenchman planning to fly across the Channel on a pedal-powered airship, a world first, was forced to call off his crossing due to high winds Tuesday, his team said.
Stephane Rousson, 39, had intended to leave Dungeness beach in southeastern England before dawn on Tuesday for the five-hour, 55-kilometre (33-mile) journey to northern France.
But dangerously strong winds forced him to postpone the adventure, a team member said. No date had yet been announced for a new attempt.
It took Rousson, a qualified pilot and extreme sports enthusiast, four years to prepare for the crossing.
His 16-metre (52-feet) long airship is designed to glide 30 metres (100 feet) above water, with the pilot in semi-reclining position underneath, steering it with two propellers on either side of the pedals.
In 1979, US cyclist Brian Allen made the same crossing on board a pedal-powered aeroplane.
But to really get the inside scoop about the project you should dust of your french and read the Blog "Voyage à la lisière de l'Utopie" it chronicles in great detail the whole project with some really great pictures videos and behind the scenes stories. In case you aren't able to make sense of all the french on the Blog Google Translate comes to help here the link to the autotranslated version of the Blog. Some highlights are of course the YouTube Videos.
and the Slideshow (this is a WMV Video which will download and then play in Windows Media Player) witch pictures of the attempt.
Last year Stephane Rousson was involved in the Theolia Windream One Project, making the attempd to cross the Atlantic with a small 2 person airship. To learn more about the Windream One go back to our previous posts. The Windream One website seems to undergo a change currently and there haven't been any news from the project since mid 2007. Searching the web we also could not find anything about the current state of the project. If you know something let us know send us an email or post in the Forums.
When I read about the reasons why the attempt failed I stared to wonder. The AFP article mentions "dangerously strong winds" were the reason why Stephane Rousson had to cancel. Which brings me to a thought why do airships always have to fight winds, why are winds something bad for airships? Could we not construct an airship that would use the winds instead of fighting the winds? Could a sailing airship be constructed? An airship that uses kite sails to steer? Maybe an upside down sailing ship? Is it possible has it been tried? Having an airship that works more like a sailing ship which uses it's propellers just for low speed maneuvering. What do you think?
After the word had leaked in April that the Zeppelin is coming to London. We now have the official Press Release by Zeppelin, confirming it and giving us lot's of background info. Unfortunately the press release is currently only available in German we took the time and translated it for you. Also we dug out some more interesting stuff, that you should mark in your calendars. So let's move to our english traslation of the press release with all the important information in it:
‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ is comming!
Friedrichshafen, 09. June 2008, - This Summer - Londons first commercial Airshipmission. ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ will give you a unique birds eye view of London for six weeks.
InBev, the brewery of Stella Artois, Englands most favorite Premium Lager-Beer, has announced today, that they will be the sole Sponsor of this first commercial usage of a passenger airship, which will offer flights over London for 6 weeks this summer. People will have the possibility to experience the unique view on board the ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ for the first time since the invention of the airship.
Stuart MacFarlane, president of InBev UK notes: „Stella Artois is a synonym for quality, tradition, pioneering spirit and the art of brewing. These are the qualities that we want to highlight with this project. We are happy to offer Londoners and toursist the opportunity to enjoy such an unforgettable unique experience on board the ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’.“
„This mission is a premiere and the first possibility for toursim roundtrips above London in a Zeppelin airship. We are proud that our Zeppelin NT can celebrate his debut for passenger flights over this one-of-a-kind metropolis in Europe and we hope for regular missions in London in the future“ says Thomas Brandt, CEO of the Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH.
Discover the metropolis of London from above - starting 10th of July 2008. The ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ will be stationed in Damyns Hall near Upminster in the northeast of London until August 21st. From there it will start it's roundtrip flights across the Skyline of London. There will be an average of 5 flying hours per day with a maximum of 12 passengers on board the ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ on 3 different routes above Londons most famous sights.
Flights with ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ cost ₤185 for 30 minutest, ₤295 for the 45 minutes and ₤360 for the one hour flight. Tickets can only be booked through the hotline – individual bookings call: +44 (0)20 7183 3911/ 3912/ 3913, companies or groups of 10 and more people call: +44 (0) 207 1833 024.
The event is conducted through The LZC, Ltd. in London. The airship is operated by the Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH, a subcompany of ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & CO KG.
PRESSEINFORMATION ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ kommt! Friedrichshafen, 09. Juni 2008, - Diesen Sommer - Londons erster kommerzieller Luftschiffeinsatz. Sechs Wochen lang wird ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ den einmaligen Blick auf London aus der Vogelperspektive ermöglichen. InBev, Brauer des Stella Artois, Englands beliebtestes Premium Lager-Bier, hat heute bekannt gegeben, dass sie der alleinige Sponsor dieses ersten kommerziellen Einsatzes eines Passagierluftschiffs sind, welches diesen Sommer für 6 Wochen Flüge über London anbietet. Zum ersten Mal seit der Erfindung des Luftschiffs wird man die Gelegenheit haben, den einzigartigen Ausblick an Bord des ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ zu erfahren. Stuart MacFarlane, Präsident von InBev UK bemerkt: „Stella Artois ist gleichbedeutend mit Qualität, Tradition, Braukunst und Pioneergeist. Dies sind die Qualitäten, die wir mit diesem Projekt betonen. Wir freuen uns, Londonern und Touristen, die Gelegenheit anbieten zu können, solch ein unvergessliches und einmaliges Erlebnis an Bord des ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ genießen zu können.“ „Dieser Einsatz ist eine Premiere und die erstmalige Gelegenheit für Rundflüge über London mit einem Zeppelin Luftschiff. Wir sind stolz, dass unser Zeppelin NT nun sein Debüt für Passagierrundflüge über dieser einzigartigen Metropole Europas feiert und hoffen für die Zukunft auf regelmäßige Einsätze in London“ bemerkt Thomas Brandt, CEO der Deutschen Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH. Die Londoner Metropole von oben erkunden – ab dem 10. Juli 2008 ist es soweit. Bis zum 21. August wird ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ in Damyns Hall, in der Nähe von Upminster im Nordosten von London, stationiert sein und von dort aus zu seinen Rundflügen über die Skyline von London starten. Im Durchschnitt werden pro Tag 5 Stunden mit maximal 12 Passagieren an Bord des ‚Stella Artois: Star Over London’ auf drei verschiedenen Flugrouten über Londons bekannte Sehenswürdigkeiten angeboten. Flüge mit Stella ‚Artois: Star Over London kosten’ ₤185 für 30minütige, ₤295 für die 45minütige und ₤360 für den einstündigen Flug. Tickets können nur über die Hotline gebucht werden – Einzelbuchungen unter: +44 (0)20 7183 3911/ 3912/ 3913, Firmenoder Gruppebuchungen von 10 oder mehr Personen unter: +44 (0) 207 1833 024. Das Event wird durch The LZC, Ltd. in London durchgeführt. Das Luftschiff wird durch die Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH, einer Tochtergesellschaft der ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & CO KG, betrieben. Zur sofortigen Veröffentlichung. Kontakt Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH: Thomas Brandt, CEO Tel +49 7541 5900 539 presse at zeppelin-nt.de www.zeppelinflug.com Kontakt InBev: Rhona Hurcombe Edelman JCPR Tel +44 (0) 20 7208 7254 rhona_hurcombe at jcpr.com Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GMBH Die Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH hat ihren Sitz in Friedrichshafen und betreibt den Zeppelin NT seit 2001 für kommerzielle Rundflüge, Werbung sowie wissenschaftliche und industrielle Einsätze in Europa. Zeppelin NT Luftschiffe werden derweil in Deutschland und Japan betrieben. Die Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei ist eine 100% Tochtergesellschaft der ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG. About InBev InBev is a publicly traded company (Euronext: INB) based in Leuven, Belgium. The company's origins date back to 1366, and today, it is the leading global brewer. As a true consumer-centric, sales driven company, InBev manages a carefully segmented portfolio of more than 200 brands. This includes true beer icons with global reach like Stella Artois® and Beck’s®, fast growing multicountry brands like Leffe® and Hoegaarden®, and many consumer loved "local champions" like Skol®, Quilmes®, Sibirskaya Korona®, Chernigivske®, Sedrin®, Cass® and Jupiler®. InBev employs close to 89 000 people, running operations in over 30 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2007, InBev realized 14.4 billion euro of revenue. For further information visit www.InBev.com About InBev UK InBev UK & Ireland is a subsidiary of InBev. It employs around 2,500 people and operates breweries in England, Wales and Scotland. InBev UK has an extensive brand portfolio including Stella Artois®, the UK's no.1 premium lager, and Tennent's Lager®, the biggest selling lager brand in Scotland. Alongside these are Becks®, Brahma®, Leffe®; Boddingtons®; Draught Bass®; Castlemaine XXXX® and Murphy's
One thing you can write down into your calendars are the Transfer flights to get the Airship Ventures Zeppelin NT#4 from Friedrichshafen to London. So have a look at the current Zeppelin Flights page to learn everything about when which flights will be and how much every flight costs,this also applys to the roundtrip flights in London.
Also there are already a few articles on the web also focusing on the Zeppelin in London check them out
Also have an eye on http://www.staroverlondon.co.uk this will be the official website but isn't established it yet. That's it for tonight send us your comments as always either via email or as comments on the Blog or in the Forum. Have fun
Originally I just wanted to publish this video of the brand new Zeppelin NT Number 4 with the Airship Ventures design on it but then I found a video of the Zeppelin NT #3 landing and thought I would just share with you some general ground handling and landing videos of the Zeppelin NT. It amazes me again and again how few people the airship requires for ground handling. The vectored propellers on the sides and the tail make the Zeppelin NT really the most maneuverable manned airship in the world. But enough said on to the videos. The first video shows the brand new Zeppelin NT #4 being taken out of the hangar, on the front the mast truck on the back just one member of the ground crew steering the tail of the airship.
The next video is an approach by the Zeppelin, it's turning into the wind and then lands, the ground crew of just three men then put the stairs onto the airship to allow passengers to exit. A completely different experience than that on the Goodyear Blimps with their big ground crew.
The last video shows a landing and takeoff by the Zeppelin NT #3 the highlight in this video is again the hovering ability of the Zeppelin and the calm slow aproach for landing and the easy take off.
I just received this rather unusual airship design from Darin Selby asking me to put it on the blog so that others could critique it. So please do so, go to Darins website and check out the airship design. Then come back to the Blog and leave you comments or write in the Forum. In the meanwhile we are trying to get more information from Darin about the design.
Also please subscribe to the Blog if you haven't yet, if you subscribe you will get our premium treatment and we will deliver each and every new story directly to your feed reader or email in box, which ever you prefer and the best of all that it's free.
It's only a small mention, but I am in an article that appears in todays guardian a UK newspaper. This is the third article in the guardian within the last 4 weeks that features airships, which shows that they are experiencing a big comeback. Which is good for our industry as a whole. So take a look at the article called New generation of 'hybrid airships'.
The link points to an Indian Newspaper that already featured the article tonight. So jump over to the Hindu and read the article, then come back to the Blog and let me know what you think about it. Post your comments and feedback to the article at the Blog and share your thoughts in our Forum. If you haven't yet subscribed to our blog go ahead it's free. Subscribe and you will get the latest airship news delivered directly to you as we publish them.
[UPDATE] With the new day just having started the Guardian has updated their website now also featuring the Article with the title Could Zeppelin's airships soon be gracing our skies again? if you want to read it on paper get a copy of the Guardian from June 05 2008 and flip to page 6 of the Technology news & features section.
