What is being billed as the world’s largest aircraft made a lengthy appearance last week as LTA Research took its electrically powered rigid airship out for a few loops around the San Francisco Bay area. The Pathfinder 1, which is 406.5 feet long and about 60 feet in diameter, flew from Moffett Field, the historic blimp base now leased by Google, northwest just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge shortly after the FAA renewed its Special Airworthiness Certificate. The company, which is funded by Google cofounder Sergei Brin, says this airship’s lighter but stronger structure and fire-resistant envelope could lead to a resurgence in interest in the use of airships for special missions. LTA made this nice video after a flight in October.
”Flying over the Bay allows the team to gather new data on Pathfinder 1’s responsiveness, stability, and system performance during extended flight,” LTA said in a statement. “As we continue testing, each flight brings us closer to realizing the potential of lighter-than-air technology to transform transportation for cargo and passengers.” LTA began building the airship in 2013 and it first flew untethered last October. The company sees a future for the technology serving remote and isolated regions. “The future of airship technology makes possible the transport of people and cargo to destinations beyond the reach of roads, runways, and ports.”
I think it should be bright red with yellow and green on top…
Hydrogen or helium?
Helium
https://ltaresearch.com/technology
These could be a good way to deliver wind turbine blades to remote wind farms. And you could theoretically use a wind turbine mast as an anchor mast for the airship.
Lots of dollars tied up dependent on how the wind blows. Some lift capacity if anchored against any prevailing winds. Maybe an exclusive west to east ride for well heeled folks in luxury cabins a’la Graf Zeppilin. At altitude perhaps a communications relay, but with satellite technology today it’s an investment looking for an avenue that has long since left.
As much as I like Airships, their useful purpose appears to escape me in todays day and age. A pricey novelty?
Once upon a time every small camera was a Kodak; every inboard boat a Chris-Craft; every small airplane a Piper Cub. So it will be with airships; for a long time they will be Goodyear Blimps, no matter what it says or doesn’t say on their sides.