Showing posts with label usa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label usa. Show all posts
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Win a ride on the Airship Ventures Zeppelin
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Airshipventures Buzzing all over the Web
Well it doesn't happen every day that a Zeppelin arrives in the US and of course all the Media went crazy about this great new Zeppelin NT which has graced European and japanese skies for quite a while now.
Here are just some of the reports from today also some video from Cnet. But of course don't forget the 3 Sites by Airship Ventures:
All three pages are loaded with content to discover.
News:
Do you know of any good articles videos or blogposts about Airship Ventures, add them in the comments of this Blogpost.
Here are just some of the reports from today also some video from Cnet. But of course don't forget the 3 Sites by Airship Ventures:
All three pages are loaded with content to discover.
News:
- CNN.com - Zeppelins return to the skies in San Francisco
- pressdemocrat.com - The zeppelin is coming, or is it?
- The Tech Herald - California company offers Zeppelin sight-seeing tours
- Aero-News Network - Airship Ventures Zeppelin Arrives At Its New Home In CA
- Mountain View Voice - Up ship!
- San Francisco Chronicle - Zeppelin taking to the skies over Bay Area
- WIRED - It's Hard up Here for a Blimp
- abc - Zeppelin to begin passenger flights this week
- KLIV - AIRSHIP COMES TO SILICON VALLEY
Videos:
Do you know of any good articles videos or blogposts about Airship Ventures, add them in the comments of this Blogpost.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Pressrelease by ZLT about the Zeppelin arriving in the US
© ZLTZeppelin NT arrives in U.S.
Friedrichshafen / Beaumont, Texas, 14 October 2008 - The United States sold in the Zeppelin NT is after his Atlantic crossing from Hamburg in Beaumont, Texas arrived. The world's biggest airship was on a 162 meter long Dockschiff, the MV "Combi Dock I" in his new home shipped.
After its 15day voyage one of the world's three Zeppelin NT has arrived in the U.S. In the port of Beaumont was the blimp already discharged. After assembly and flight testing of the Zeppelin NT will be his new home, the historic Moffett Field in Mountain View, California fly. There are three of the twelve existing airship hangar.
During his trip, the Zeppelin NT Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to fly over before he reached California and the Rocky Mountains on the Banning Pass crosses. Shortly before his goal, the Zeppelin NT on the coast of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge to fly.
Toward the end of this month is the new owner Airship ventures with Zeppelin sightseeing flights out of Moffett Field start. There are passenger flights to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, the Sonoma / Napa wine region and the coast of Monterey / Big Sur offered. Also, the airship with various technological and scientific specialty operations planned.
More information about the Zeppelin NT in the U.S. or the possibilities of a flight booking please www.airshipventures.com or call 001 650-969-8100.
Airship Ventures Zeppelin getting ready to fly
We reported two days ago that the Zeppelin NT had reached the US. It is now unloaded from the dock ship and the empennage and engines are being mounted back on the ship. Check out the posts from the Airship Ventures Blog to see many pictures of the ship arriving, the Zeppelin being offloaded, and much more.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Goodyear Blimp in pictures, stories, videos and more
© Michael Harley / Weblogs Inc.Today after looking at the Metlife Blimps last we look at the good old Goodyear Blimps and see what they have been up to. Back in April we last looked at them. Starting of today's post is a great article on Autoblog called "Above the Autoblog Garage: The Goodyear Blimp". The article is well written and talks about the Blimp how it is controlled and the overall ride experience. But this is not everything that the article has to offer. Along with the article Autoblog posted a picture gallery of 53 high resolution photos from outside and inside the blimp. Some really nice shots in that gallery. Also hot of the press and a big thanks to Ken DeLacy for finding this bit. At the 2:00 minutes mark of the Aero-TV's Daily Update from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for Friday August 1st the Goodyear Blimp is featured as it made it's appearance to this years AirVenture Oshkosh.
Aero-TV:OSHCast 2008 Aero-TV Daily Update: Day Five!But this is of course not the only video that we were able to find, check out all these great videos of the Goodyear Blimp that we found on YouTube
But not only videos were made of the Goodyear blimp the Goodyear Blimp Blog is also always a great place to read more about the ongoing missions of the Blimp. Here are the latest articles:
- 4th of July Blimp Style
- 35 Years!
- Home for a bit
- Detour
- Nasty weather
- Blimps and dolphins
- Sweet home Alabama
- Back in the saddle
- A new pilot
- Pilot in Charge
- Marine invasion
- Winds and Mohawk haircuts
Do you have any more pieces about the Goodyear Blimps, then let us know. If you have just recently found us, check out our Forum where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. You can also subscribe to the Blog. Either subscribe to the RSS Feed or via Email and get the posts delivered right to your mailbox, for free.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Zeppelin NT Airships receive FAA Authorization
© ZLTUS market opened for Zeppelin NT airshipsThe EASA is currently holding only 3 type certificates one of which is the Zeppelin NT jump down to read it or download the original PDF from the EASA.
Friedrichshafen, June, 26th 2008 – ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co. KG receives the Type certificate for the Zeppelin NT from the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA. After successful negotiations with Airship Ventures Inc., the maiden flight of the Zeppelin NT sold to Airship Ventures and the FAA Type Certification, the US market is opened for the Zeppelin NT.
The type certification for the Zeppelin NT has been successfully completed. The FAA has issued the type certificate. This type certificate is the basis for the timely start of Zeppelin NT operations in the US. “We received the type certification for one the most important aviation markets in the world,” said Thomas Brandt, CEO of ZLT, „this is a further very important step to the North American market.” Robert Gritzbach, Chief Engineer of ZLT commented: “An intensive process has been successfully concluded. The FAA has recognized the German-European certification requirements for modern airships in the Zeppelin NT category for commercial passenger transport, in an enduring public hearing process.”
click here to continue
While researching this I also found a better version of the Airworthiness Criteria: Airship Design Criteria for Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH Model LZ N07 Airship click here to read it. I have got this document from the Justia Regulations Tracker a great tool to get official government documents like this one.
FAA - Type Certificate
ZLT - Press Release - English
ZLT - Press Release - German
EASA - Type Certificate
FAA - Airworthiness Criteria
Notice: Airworthiness Criteria: Airship Design Criteria for Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH Model LZ N07 Airship - Upload a Document to Scribd
If you can not see the embedded Documents because you have received this as an Email or through your Blog reader click here to go to the Blog to take full advantage of the embedded content.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Airship Management Services Skyship 600 to Patrol the coast of Florida
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:
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Airship Surveillance - continues at high pace
© Airship SurveillanceSo what has been going on with Airship Surveillance in the last month, you have the option to read all the press releases yourself or just continue on and read our summary. Beginning of May WENR Corp which has been working closely with Airship Surveillance announced a letter of intent to acquire them. Which was followed up with more information about the aquisition and a Letter to the shareholders. This letter contained some very interesting bits about the current developments in the company. They informed that:
... AirSur is currently in discussions concerning six potential sales opportunities. These contracts include several L15, L5 and L2 airships which will have a value measured in the tens of millions of dollars if all are exercised and completed. In addition to outright sales, AirSur is also in discussions regarding the 'wet lease' of aircraft in which it will operate its aircraft for clients.They are also planing a Media Day and might be looking for new full time staff. The press release reads:
Finally, the foreseen growth and sales of subsequent airships will require AirSur to possibly seek an even larger facility and hire additional full-time staff. WENR is also looking into adding additional members to its Board of Directors to reflect the Company's new direction.A few days after the letter Airship Surveillance announced that:
Sandy Mangold has been appointed as Vice President of the Company and has been elected to its Board of Directors.Sandy Mangold is, according to the press release, a retired Colonel from the U.S. Air Force and has been working with Airship Surveillance from the very beginning. CEO Paul Adams was quoted in the press release saying:
"He (Mangold) will be responsible for generating sales, business strategy, and overall growth of Airship Surveillance."Also beginning of may Airship Surveillance was able to announce a first contract with a government contractor. This is what Sandy Mangold had to say:
"We are pleased to announce the award of a systems engineering contract with a Las Vegas-based company, which has extensive contacts in defense, energy, and academic communities," stated Sandy Mangold of AirSur. "Airship Surveillance will conduct integration studies for a wide range of biological, chemical and radiation sensors, which could be flown on our airships. Further, the contract also calls for the Company to develop an accompanying series of deployment concepts (Concepts of Operations) for each specific set of payload suites."In parallel they are also developing the L2 airship further. Pilot training has started and the first custom build airship is being build for a client. Just yesterday a press release was issued informing that Airship Surveillance...
... will welcome representatives of three prospective clients during the month of June from the Defense, Homeland Security, and commercial communities.Airship Surveillance has also put a few more videos into their YouTube Channel the newest of them were put into a playlist by me. The first video shows trial flights of the R&D1 indoors the second the R&D1 passing in front of the inflated envelope of the new L2 airship and the last video contains footage of the L2 airship envelope acceptance test. Enjoy!
The visitors will specifically view development and operations areas of Airship Surveillance. Each entity will get to view and see first-hand the company's newest airship, the L 2 (named the "Flying Cloud" in honor of the famous 19th Century US Clipper Ship,) which will be finished the first week of June. Each client's inspection will be several days in length.
If you enjoy reading our blog spread the word, tell your friends and colleagues and please subscribe if you haven't yet.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Airshipventures has done it. The Zeppelin NT will fly in San Francisco
This circled the web already quite a bit and yes we are late in the game on this news item but hey I'm still not getting payed for this :-). But I love this work and thats why I do it. So to todays topic, the Headline says it.
Airshiventures the San Francisco company that had optioned the brand new Zeppelin NT Number 4 just completed the last and most improtant round of financing to get the Zeppelin NT to the US. The issued a press release that explained that they completed the Preferred Stock financing getting another 8 million US Dollars in investment. This now allows them to get the Zeppelin NT across the pond to the US. If the Zeppelin will fly or be shipped like the Zeppelin NT that was transfered to Japan has not been published. Fact is shipping the Airship has been proven to work for Japan and is low risk compared to flying across the Atlantic. On their Blog they mention the next steps that will be taken. The Zeppelin NT #4 will be ready to fly very soon. The Zeppelin will probably make a trip to London also mentioned here and then start it's journey across the Atlantic. The new Zeppelin Pilots will get training on the new ship and the route the airship will take across the US once arrived at the east coast. The Zeppelin NT can now finally come to the US after the FAA just approved it's Airworthiness Criteria. Check out the full text here. It took almost 8 years to complete the approval the first letter from the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt was sent to the FAA October 1, 2001.
Airshipventures is still building up it's team so head over to their website and check out the current Job Offerings if you want to join this new chapter in history of a Zeppelin in the US, something that we haven't seem for some 70 years. And of course check out the excellent Airshipventures Blog called Up Ship! for some great inside scoop and infos not mentioned in the press releases. Here is the full text of the Press Release.
I want to thank Paul Boldt for finding the FAA Airworthiness Criteria.
Airshiventures the San Francisco company that had optioned the brand new Zeppelin NT Number 4 just completed the last and most improtant round of financing to get the Zeppelin NT to the US. The issued a press release that explained that they completed the Preferred Stock financing getting another 8 million US Dollars in investment. This now allows them to get the Zeppelin NT across the pond to the US. If the Zeppelin will fly or be shipped like the Zeppelin NT that was transfered to Japan has not been published. Fact is shipping the Airship has been proven to work for Japan and is low risk compared to flying across the Atlantic. On their Blog they mention the next steps that will be taken. The Zeppelin NT #4 will be ready to fly very soon. The Zeppelin will probably make a trip to London also mentioned here and then start it's journey across the Atlantic. The new Zeppelin Pilots will get training on the new ship and the route the airship will take across the US once arrived at the east coast. The Zeppelin NT can now finally come to the US after the FAA just approved it's Airworthiness Criteria. Check out the full text here. It took almost 8 years to complete the approval the first letter from the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt was sent to the FAA October 1, 2001.
Airshipventures is still building up it's team so head over to their website and check out the current Job Offerings if you want to join this new chapter in history of a Zeppelin in the US, something that we haven't seem for some 70 years. And of course check out the excellent Airshipventures Blog called Up Ship! for some great inside scoop and infos not mentioned in the press releases. Here is the full text of the Press Release.
I want to thank Paul Boldt for finding the FAA Airworthiness Criteria.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Let's have some Altitude-Attitude
You have probably seen those big camera cranes that are used in movie and TV productions to provide aerial shots. Some are up to 100ft high but what if you want to go 150 ft? Well you either need a bigger crane or you need to fly. Traditional means of flying are planes and helicopters. If you want to shoot at one location a plane is not the right option since it can not hover, a helicopter can. Using a helicopter though has the big disadvantage of a lot of noise, vibrations and the enormous wind the rotor generates downwards, so low altitude and low vibration video shoots aren't possible by using any kind of traditional aircraft. But an airship can solve exactly this problem. It is almost silent, with little to no vibrations, can hover over one spot without costing energy since it is lighter than air and doesn't generate downward wind that might disturb the scene that should be shot. So video airships are a great alternative for aerial filming and photography. The Metlife Blimp for example is filming the PGA Golf tour and provides fantastic footage. Check out this clip from the PGA Tour to get an impression. But such a big Airship can only be used outside and might actually be to big if you just want to shoot a small scene, especially at low altitude. Which leaves room for small remote controlled blimps and airships that are equipped with a camera. One company that offers these services is Altitude-Attitude, a Belgian company focusing on aerial photo and video production. They have already done quite a few projects with their camera equipped blimp. Besides having more freedom of movement in the three dimensional space a small airship also doesn't need to be set up extensively like a crane. It can arrive on site, maybe has to be filled with helium and can start flying. By using a wireless video transmitter the airship can even deliver live aerial video. Check out these YouTube Videos to see the blimp in action or go to the Altitude-Attitude Website and check out their galleries.
altitude-attitude.com Belgacom christmas party Théâtre de la
altitude-attitude.com clip demo dirigeable
altitude-attitude.com video blimp in Macau
What do you think about remote controlled video airships. Should they be used more often? We believe there is a market for those airships, allowing directors new creative and innovative ways of filming from perspectives that are simply not possible with a crane. Leave a comment on the blog share your thoughts in the Forum or on the Mailinglist. Subscribe to the blog and spread the word, tell your friends about airships and Airshipworld, let's create something great.
altitude-attitude.com Belgacom christmas party Théâtre de la
altitude-attitude.com clip demo dirigeable
altitude-attitude.com video blimp in Macau
What do you think about remote controlled video airships. Should they be used more often? We believe there is a market for those airships, allowing directors new creative and innovative ways of filming from perspectives that are simply not possible with a crane. Leave a comment on the blog share your thoughts in the Forum or on the Mailinglist. Subscribe to the blog and spread the word, tell your friends about airships and Airshipworld, let's create something great.
The Magenn Wind Turbine gets of the ground.
Early last year we talked about the The Magenn Air Rotor System a wind turbine that floats high in the sky where winds are much stronger. Check out our blog post from last year to see how the Magenn Air Rotor works. Ever since that post it has been relatively quiet up until now. Magenn was able to develop a prototype with the help of TCOM and tested it in the Elizabeth City hangar of TCOM. The test where done inside of the hangar but open air test are to be done soon.
Check out these Articles with more information about the recent tests which also contain a few pictures of the prototype.
Check out these Articles with more information about the recent tests which also contain a few pictures of the prototype.
- Airborne turbine tested at TCOM
- A Balloon in the Wind (Market)
- Magenn Air Rotor System Finally Floats
Saturday, March 22, 2008
AVICTA Complete Cotton Airship - Tour
Another high profile airship tour is making it's way through the Southern United States. The AVICTA Complete Cotton Airship is on a tour also partnering with the Believe In Tomorrow Childrens Foundation. Thanks to the Blimp operations Yahoo Group for pointing out the links to the websites.
Here is also a YouTube Video of the Avicta Blimp over the Mississippi River:
Check out the Avicta Blimp Page which contains slideshows and a map where the blimp was. The airship is currently somewhere around the Mississippi River. Also read on about the Believe In Tomorrow campaign.
Here is also a YouTube Video of the Avicta Blimp over the Mississippi River:
Check out the Avicta Blimp Page which contains slideshows and a map where the blimp was. The airship is currently somewhere around the Mississippi River. Also read on about the Believe In Tomorrow campaign.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Announcing the 4th Annual XLTA-Amherst
Has it been a year? Well almost we are approaching our first full year with big steps it's not far away at the end of this month. And as we come full circle we can also announce once again a great annual event organized by Dan Nachbar the father of the Personal Blimp.
4th Annual
Amherst Experimental
Balloon, Hopper, Chariot, and Airship
Rally
(also known as XLTA4 and XLTA-Amherst)
May 16-18, 2008 (This is two weeks earlier than previous years.)
Amherst MA (two hours by car West of Boston in the beautiful Connecticut River valley)
All builders, owners, and fans of experimental and ultra-light LTA aircraft are invited.
This is a small private non-profit event: no paid rides, no public audience, no muss, no fuss. Just experimental LTA and the people who love to build and fly them (as well as friends and families, of course.) This event provides both an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences amongst builders and a chance to fly together informally.
The event features:The online registration page is: http://www.xlta.org/regform2008.php
- A fascinating bunch of one-of-a-kind LTA aircraft and pilots.
- Nearby or (depending upon winds) on-site launches.
- On-site field for tethering to show off your latest design.
- 24 hour on-site propane available for purchase.
- On-site workshop/sewing facilities for experiments/repairs.
- Pleasant on-site daytime hang-out, cooking, and eating space.
- On-site camping and RV parking.
- A wide variety of motels and hotels available nearby.
(Be advised motel rooms in this area in May start at $110 per night. Some less expensive motels are a 20 minute drive away.)- Local chase crew available.
- On-site catered group meals available (with sign-up in advance)
- Nearby dining/entertainment/culture for rainy day amusement of both pilots and non-flying family members.
- On-site playground and indoor playroom for kids of all ages.
Space is limited. Please don't show up without registering in advance. All registration fees and food/fuel deposits are fully refundable if you can't make it. So sign up and send a check by May 1 and everything will be just peachy.
Each participating pilot with an aircraft is asked to chip in $50 to cover his/her group. (All money collected is used for the fixed expenses of the event. This is a purely non-profit affair.) Folks who come on their own (i.e. without an aircraft) will be asked to chip in $20 per person or family. Non-flying folks will also be asked to lend a hand with crewing and other logistic stuff. This is a participatory, not a spectator event.
Contact Dan Nachbar at 413-549-1321 or dan at nachbar.com for more information. (If you don't get a quick response to your email please assume that your message has mistakenly fallen prey to spam filtering and give me a phone call instead.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Black Water Down - The Blackwater Blimp wrecked?
The US Private military security firm Blackwater has been developing an airship called Polar 400 the blimp has been on tests at the Airdock #1 Hangar of the U. S. Naval Air Station (LTA) Weeksville in Elizabeth City. The hangar belongs to TCOM LP who have been part of the Polar 400 development. Today a rumor has circulated that this airship has been wrecked by a storm, this is unconfirmed information but we want to take this event to look at what Blackwater has been up to. The Polar 400 project is part of a new Blackwater sub company called Blackwater Airships LLC which was established in January 2006. HamptonRoads.com has a nice article about the Blackwater airship program called "Blackwater aims high with unmanned aircraft" it goes into quite a lot of detail as to what is being developed and why. The article also features a collection of pictures showing the Polar 400 Airship with it's hydraulic propulsion system.
Since information about the Blackwater blimp are very sparse we would like to share a few additional bits bits of information with you.
The Polar 400 airship has the FAA registration N6542B, the arrangement of the engines is very similar to that of the Zeppelin NT with two engines on each side of the envelope in the middle and an additional rear engine, that has two props. A difference to the Zeppelin NTs prop configuration is that the aft engines are not vectored where as the Zeppelin can point one of it's aft props 90° downwards. A unique feature of the Blackwater blimp is that it is a blimp and still has it's engines attached to the envelope. Until now all blimps had their engines on the gondola. The Zeppelin NT uses it's internal rigid frame to allow positioning of the engines on the envelope.
There where some videos of the Ron Paul Blimp campaing when their Blimp started from the Elizabeth City, in those videos you can see the Blackwater Blimp in the background. Here are the links First Blimp Coverage!(Blackwater blimp always in the background) and "Takeoff"(Blackwater Blimp at -2:17 on the mast truck).
I want to thank Chris Jisi, Ken Delacy, Dan Nachbar, Joe Bloggs and Rick Zitarosa from the Airship-list for links and informations. If you have more infos and or pictures of the Blackwater blimp please share them with us, also if you have any more information about the rumored wreckage of the blimp. Leave your comments or send us an email. Also think about subscribing to the Blog it's absoluteley free and you get all the content directly delivered to you. You can subsribe to our RSS Feed or via Email. If you have a website on your own, why don't you put a link to us, and tell us about it, we will be happy to link to you too. Also please spread the word about Airshipworld we want to reach even more people in the industry but also the general public, university students and everyone else who is just interested in what is going on with airships in the world. Please help spreading the word and maybe make Airshipworld the homepage of your browser.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Airships are coming back to Moffet Field
We told you a few days ago that Airshipventures is preparing for the arrival of their Zeppelin and today they published a press release that will make airship fans very happy. Airshipventures will be based at Moffet Field the historic home of the Macon and many Navy Blimps. And start operating from there. They also are working with the local authorities about the possibility to use the historic Hanagar 2. check out their revamped Website at Airshipventures.com, they also posted a couple of Job openings in their career section so if you would like to work in the airship industry check it out, they will be opening more positions through out the next months.Here is their press release in full text:
AIRSHIP VENTURES MOVES TO NASA RESEARCH PARK, MOFFETT FIELD
Airship industry returns to Moffett after 60 years
Moffett Field, California and Los Gatos, California—February 13 2008 -- Airship Ventures today announced that they are moving into offices at the NASA Research Park,
Moffett Field, California.
Airship Ventures, Inc, a corporation formed to bring Zeppelin NT airship operations to the USA, will be establishing its headquarters in temporary office accommodation at the research park pending an agreement with NASA that will see the company renovate and occupy part of historic building 20 on Shenandoah Plaza, the former Bachelor Officers Quarters.
Brian Hall, President of Airship Ventures, commented “We are very pleased to be taking this next step towards permanent operations. One can’t help but be inspired by the historic setting – the past home to the Macon and fleets of Navy blimps. How appropriate for it to become the future home to modern high-tech airships on the eve of its 75th birthday.”
The USS Macon first arrived at Sunnyvale Naval Air Station, later renamed Moffett Field, in October of 1933. The last blimp to operate at the field was deflated in August 1947.
Airship Ventures plans to commence operations with a Zeppelin NT in the San Francisco
area in the fall. This move marks their ramp up towards full time operations and the hiring of many key posts. Alexandra Hall, CEO of Airship Ventures, said “The NASA Research Park is home to a very innovative group of tenants who all have synergies with NASA Ames. I’m particularly excited about the range of science and industry partnerships that our being on site here could enable.”
Airship Ventures has been seeking local endorsement of their plans to use Hangar 2 at Moffett Federal Airfield, and in November 2007, they obtained a resolution of support from Mountain View City Council, as well as letters of support from Senator Elaine Alquist and Assemblywoman Sally Lieber. NASA has yet to formally announce the
outcome of its review on Airship Ventures’ use of the historic wooden airship hangar, Hangar 2, and airfield.
ABOUT AIRSHIP VENTURES, INC.
Airship Ventures Inc., founded 2007 in Los Gatos, California, is a privately owned corporation formed with the objective of bringing Zeppelin NT airships to the US for commercial air tours, scientific payloads, media and advertising operations.
ABOUT THE ZEPPELIN NT AIRSHIP
The Zeppelin NT07 airship, carrying up to 12 passengers, will be the largest airship flying in the US. At 246 feet in length, it is more than 50ft longer than the largest blimp. Using the inert gas helium for lift, and vectored thrust engines for flight, the Zeppelin NT has been flying with an unparalleled safety record since 1997, in Germany and Japan.
# # #
Airship Ventures is a trademark of Airship Ventures, Inc. Zeppelin is a trademark of
Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH. All other product and brand names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Airship Ventures Contact:
Alex Hall
CEO
pr at airshipventures dot com
+1-650-969-8100 ex 102
www.airshipventures.com
airshipventures.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Zeppelin Nt07#4 is almost complete and Airshipventures is preparing for it's arrival
It's been a only few weeks since we have give you an update on the progress of Zeppelin NT07 #004, you can check the pictures here. But things are progressing rather quickly and Airshipventures is writing about it in their Blog Up Ship! in the article "Getting a bit crowded" they feature the photo that you see in this post. The envelope is currently undergoing pressure testing and can be seen on left border of the picture. Since the envelope is one of the most expensive parts of an airship this has to be done with great care. In the middle is the Zeppelin NT07#3 with his t-city branding during his yearly inspection.But this is not the only news that reaches us from San Francisco based Airshipventures they are soon (read this week) announcing some news, probably having something to do with their new "office" buildings. Check out their blogpost "Growing...", maybe the pictures might give you a little clue as to where they are going to be located. But keep an eye on Airshipworld as well as the Airshipventures Website and Blog. We will be publishing the news as soon as we receive it. In the meanwhile read up about Airshipventures in Airshipworld or read a few of their other posts on UpShip! like this one, this other one or this here.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Blimpin' Ain't Easy
Yes becoming a Blimp pilot is not easy, on the one hand because there aren't so many blimps out there and on the other hand because flying an airship is not as easy as driving a car. But Keith has made it, he got into the MetLife Blimp Programm. He will be flying the MetLife Snoopy 2 soon and he takes us along on this journey. Keith writes a Blog called "Blimpin' Ain't Easy" where he writes about his experiences and keeps a log of where he is with the blimp and also has a calendar telling the readers where he is going to be in the next few days. His posts are always entertaining to read and provide an amazing insight in to the life of an advertising blimp crew that travels all over the US. Currently he has a post about his watch training featuring a picture of the Horizon Blimp. Coincidentally there were two new pictures posted in the Flickr Airship Pool on of the Horizon Blimp and the other one of the MetLife Snoopy. If you are as fascinated as I am with airships you have to subscribe to his blog and read it regularly. We will of course also keep an eye on the blog and give a shout out to Keith every once in a while updating you on what has been going on. I found his blog since he was so kind to link to us. (Keith if you read this, thank you very much for the link, email me) If you want to learn more about MetLife and the Blimp Programm check out our previous posts about the Metlife Blimps:
- About "Airship Advertising"
- Airship pictures roundup
- YouTube airship video for the break
- Met Life blimp Snoopy 2 in Fredericksburg, VA
- More from the Metlife Blimp Snoopy 2
Saturday, September 8, 2007
More from the Metlife Blimp Snoopy 2 [updated]
In addition to yesterdays Videos of the Metlife Airship we bring you a few really nice shots that Jerry Capser took while the Blimp stayed over at the Fredericksburg airport for a few days. Enjoy!
Update:Jerry just notified me that all of his Met Life Blimp pictures are now online as part of his Hot Air Baloon Flickr Set, it contains some close up shots that you don't usually get to see. The most surprising picture to me was the one of the pilots seat, are these really just some pillows tucked in there ?
Update:Jerry just notified me that all of his Met Life Blimp pictures are now online as part of his Hot Air Baloon Flickr Set, it contains some close up shots that you don't usually get to see. The most surprising picture to me was the one of the pilots seat, are these really just some pillows tucked in there ?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Met Life blimp Snoopy 2 in Fredericksburg, VA
Today we would like to present a nice Video of the Metlife Blimp Snoopy 2 starting from Fredericksburg VA and other videos of the Blimps. Snoopy 2 is one of the currently 3 Metlife Blimps. Snoopy 3 got introduced just this August, to honour 20 years of the Metlife Blimp Program. So if you do the math the first Metlife Blimp got introduced in 1987 and extended in 1994 to read more about it, read our post about the Metlife Blimp Program with more background information and links.
The video was filmed by Jerry Casper who is also interested a H0 scale (1/87th) blimp to use in a diorama. If you know where to get one of those, or how to build one, please put your feedback into the comments section or send us an email.
Met Life Blimp in Fredericksburg, VA
You might also want to watch these Videos:
Check out these Posts mentioning the Metlife Blimp:
You like what you read and you come here daily? Great! If you haven't yet why don't you subscribe to the Blog either via RSS or via Email so that updates get to you delivered as soon as possible. Please also send us your feedback and suggestions. You know of a story that we haven't covered but you think we should, please send it to us, and we will do our best to put something together as fast as we can. And give us your opinion and additional links in the comments section of each post.
The video was filmed by Jerry Casper who is also interested a H0 scale (1/87th) blimp to use in a diorama. If you know where to get one of those, or how to build one, please put your feedback into the comments section or send us an email.
Met Life Blimp in Fredericksburg, VA
You might also want to watch these Videos:
Check out these Posts mentioning the Metlife Blimp:
You like what you read and you come here daily? Great! If you haven't yet why don't you subscribe to the Blog either via RSS or via Email so that updates get to you delivered as soon as possible. Please also send us your feedback and suggestions. You know of a story that we haven't covered but you think we should, please send it to us, and we will do our best to put something together as fast as we can. And give us your opinion and additional links in the comments section of each post.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The future of the White Dwarf
The White Dwarf a little pedal powered personal blimp, was about to get refilled again last Weekend. During a safety overpressure Test the envelope burst and ruptured over most of it's length. We reported that Reed Gleasons was thinking about a new envelope and we hoped to see the little blimp fly again. But Reed decided now, that the little ship will get donated to a museum. Do you know of one that Reed could donate it to ? Here is what he wrote on the Topica Little Blimps List.
Urgent News - White Dwarf envelope burst
The White Dwarf - pedal powered personal blimp - will be flying again
After a day of contemplation, I realized that I should look into donating the WD to a museum.If you have any help to offer Reed Gleason please send us an email we will forward it to him. If a Museum could preserve the White Dwarf for generations to come it would be great. To learn more about the White Dwarf check out our older posts with additional links to the Homepage and pictures.
It was great to be able to fly, and to allow other people to fly, such a unique part of aviation history. However, it was designed to be flown indoors, and we were severely limited as to when and where we could fly it. I felt privileged to have ownership of the WD and obligated to have it out where people could appreciate it, but it was a big money and time sink. And sometimes a little scary.
We could patch the envelope to give it enough strength to be inflated with air and hung in a museum. I could take a tax write off that could offset some or all of the expenses of the last few years, depending on the perceived value of the WD. And a lot more people would be able to see it.
Much thanks to those who replied to my question of where to get a new envelope, but now I have a new question: What museum would like to have the WD, and how do you arrive at value for the WD?
Urgent News - White Dwarf envelope burst
The White Dwarf - pedal powered personal blimp - will be flying again
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