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Blimp, dirigible, airship, zeppelin, giant balloon, call them what you will. They have been an unpopular mode of transport ever since the Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937. Of the 65 people on board, 36 (including a member of ground crew) people lost their lives. The enormous German LZ 129 Zeppelin tried to land in stormy weather at Manchester Township, New Jersey, USA after a long journey over the Atlantic. A torn canopy allowed the hydrogen in the fuselage to escape. When the airship touched the docking tower, a static electric spark ignited the escaping hydrogen and 34 seconds later the entire craft was ashes on the ground!

It was one of the first ever filmed accidents of it's type. Had it not been recorded, people wouldn't have realised the true horror of the incident and the zeppelin may have lived on, improved and been a viable aircraft to this day. After all, airplanes in that era were little safer. Viewing the movie of the accident, it seems incredible that anyone survived. Since then blimps have been mainly used as advertising billboards like the famous Goodyear Blimp.

Today, they are making a comeback as a serious aircraft. Hybrid Air Vehicles from the UK have developed the Airlander. There are many advantages to this type of vehicle. Filled with lighter than air helium, which is not flammable, little fuel is used to keep them airborne. Therefore they are much more efficient than helicopters or airplanes.

34 Seconds Later The Entire Craft Was Ashes On The Ground!

Being rather bulky, they do not cut through the air at great speed. Theirs is a more gentle approach to air travel , more of a cruise. They can take up to 100 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo. With a maximum flight time of 5 days, they excel at survey or surveillance operations.

With the ability to land on practically any flat area, including water, they do not need a runway or airport. This flexibility of location will make this new category of aircraft very attractive as a cargo transporter.

Conventional air freight can get cargo from one airport to another very quickly, but then everything slows down when the cargo has to be offloaded and transferred to road transport. The blimp can be an option to do the whole job faster with less complicating factors and up to 90% more efficiency.

Application Examples

A company in Northern Ireland, UK requires to deliver a 10 tonne item to a Scottish Island. The logistics involved is quite complicated. There would be at least 2 ferry journeys and possibly small remote roads to negotiate, taking several days in total. The Airlander would complete the whole delivery in a matter of hours, over land and sea directly.

What about a cruise in the air? Unlike a hot air balloon, the Airlander has full manoeuvrability even in a strong wind. Meals can be served as you perhaps gently hover through the grand canyon, along the Amazon river or around Mount Kilimanjaro.

Survey work for various industries. Surveillance for border protection, fishing or other violations.

About The Author
Markus Woznica
Chewells Contributor

Markus is a renewable energy expert. The technology in this sector is changing fast. There is a... »

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