Air Ships
Table of Contents
Introduction
There are several types of air ship which are safer and more environmentally friendly than historical examples. Some companies are working on bringing back lighter than air travel, offering luxury travel for eco-conscious people.
Life Expectancy: The ZG-20 model was used for 48 years before being retired.
Capacity: about 18 -100 passengers each. "The Airlander 10, which is expected to be certified and flown commercially in 2026, can carry approximately 130 people..."
Speed: 80mph / 128.7kmph
Pro: "Depending on the model, the Airlander 10 can reduce travel emissions by 75% to 90%." Can stay in flight for 5 days, offering luxury views of wildlife in places untouched by humanity.
Researchers have determined that compared with long-haul freight flights, less than 1% of CO2 was emitted compared to medium-haul flights, 1.4%, and compared to commercial passenger airliners, the amount of CO2 emitted was around 5%. - Aerospace Testing International
Con: Flights via these craft are not mainstream yet, and it appears that designers need to focus on including accommodations for people who use equipment such as wheel chairs. Accommodations may also be needed for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Routes such as the Arctic and African luxury sky cruises are predicted to begin circa 2024 – 2026, with the Arctic route beginning in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, with 8 cabins able to host only 18 passengers total. Slow travel times may make these too inconvenient for business or emergency travel. A flight from London to New York would take around 2-3 days depending on weather conditions.
Solution: Infrastructure in the form of more air bases in preferably more accessible locations. Longyearbyen, Svalbard is so far from most people that they'd have to use a plane or other mode of transport just to get to the launch site (possibly negating the whole point of booking a tour on an eco-friendly mode of transport).
Fuel: Helium, electricity (batteries), and hydrogen. Solar/hybrid powered air ships are in development. GoodYearBlimps use
16:56 minute video talks about the benefits and recent changes in blimp technology. The video explores both problems and opportunities with this technology.
Benefits of Air Ships
Capabilities
Modern blimp advances are expected to manage "cargo loads up to 340,000 lb (150,000 kg – or the equivalent of about 115 Toyota Corollas), distances up to 6,000 miles (9,650 km, or roughly the distance between Los Angeles and Barcelona), at cruising speeds over 175 mph (280 km/h, or a little under one-third the speed of a Dreamliner passenger plane – but 7-10 times faster than a cargo ship can go)." - Zero-emissions hydrogen cargo airship prototype planned for 2025
Adaptability
Though blimps need to be stored in large hangars to protect them from strong winds, "...you can land and park a blimp in any large open space, airport, or even on a ship...", making them far more versatile for emergency relief, than planes, and less impactful on the environment or wildlife as planes or helicopters.
The can also be powered by a range of renewable options including hydrogen fuel cells, solar energy, batteries, or hybridized systems.
Air ships were once intended for transporting troops and war planes, but we can also use them for tourism, disaster relief, transporting medicine and other aid to isolated regions, weather research, geographical studies, as we search for ways to replace the major polluters in the aviation sector.
Speed Range
"The usual cruising speed for a GZ-20 is 35 miles per hour in a zero wind condition; all-out top speed is 50 miles per hour on the GZ-20 and 73 mph for the new Goodyear Blimp." - Goodyear Blimp
Load Range
"cargo loads up to 340,000 lb (150,000 kg – or the equivalent of about 115 Toyota Corollas)" - Zero-emissions hydrogen cargo airship prototype planned for 2025
Emissions
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Noise Pollution Solution
Air ships are much quieter than airplanes or helicopters.
Challenges Facing Air Ships
Lack of Infrastructure
Many of the historical air ship hangars are now derelict, and infrastructure for hydrogen or other types of sustainable refueling needs to be scaled up to properly put a dent in our current flying emissions.
Aviation Industry Emissions
"Climate pollution from aircraft is often overlooked, but if aviation were a country, it would be among the top 10 greenhouse gas emitters." - Environmental Defense Fund
Lack of Schools & Certification
There are currently no official schools or classes for people who want to be blimp pilots.
"prefers that applicants have a commercial rating, whether it’s on airplanes, helicopters, gliders, or hot air balloons, said Viets. “It just makes the transition to airship hourly requirements less if someone already has a commercial rating,” he said. “To transition to airships is a minimum of 50 hours, but it usually takes a little longer than that, like any aircraft rating.”
If an applicant does not have a commercial rating, he or she will need 250 hours in airships before getting that commercial airship rating, said Viets. “They prefer pilots with 1,200 hours and a CFI certificate,”..."
Wind
Depending on weather during the flight, wind can work for or against the vehicle.
Air Travel vs People with Disabilities
Current air ships do not appear to be designed with wheelchairs or other mobility devices in mind.
Currently there are 3 Good Year air bases in the USA: California, Florida, and Ohio but According to Good Year Blimp's Passenger Guide "Rides aboard the Goodyear Blimp are by invitation only." and "All airship passengers must be fully ambulatory and without physical impairment(s) that could prevent them from moving quickly at the direction of the pilot or ground crew."
Solutions
Air Ship Companies Need to Consider More Needs
If blimp travel is to replace air planes and helicopters, then companies need to consider wheel chair users and those who need medical devices. This will expand the market for who can use this transit option.
Scale-Up
More Air Ships
More Landing Locations
"Though you can land and park a blimp in any large open space, airport, or even on a ship, leaving it outside exposes it to wind, which can have damaging effects on the craft. Dedicated airship hangars and bases were therefore built around the country, starting in the 1920s, but really taking off in WWII." - The Center for Land Use Interpretation
Job Opportunities
As people search for alternatives to flying by plane or helicopter, pilots and others in the industry will already have much of the necessary training to help support the growing airship industry.
Of course some technologies and needs will be different, creating new job opportunities for the industry.
Use our Job Finder page to explore eco-friendly employment opportunities. By finding somewhere close to home, you can avoid excessive travel.
Types of Fuel
Fuel Cells
Universal Hydrogen "We are building a flexible, scalable, and capital-light approach to hydrogen logistics by transporting it in modular capsules over the existing freight network from green production sites to airports around the world. At the airport, the modules are loaded directly into the aircraft using existing cargo handling equipment. No new infrastructure is needed. Starting with regional airplanes, we are also developing conversion kits to retrofit the existing fleet with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain."
Solar
Alternative Modes of Transport
Ferry
Ferries can spew out a good amount of emissions, but can also help reduce emissions when sparing people from driving around long bays or flying between islands. Fossil-powered ferries are also pretty loud which can harm organisms such as endangered glass reefs and dolphins. However electric ferries are much cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable for passengers.
Tools & Maps
International
ADSBexchange "operates a bit differently from other flight tracking sites. As a group of aviation enthusiasts, our primary goal is to answer the question of “what’s up there” rather than “is grandma’s flight on-time”.
Historical Map of the Planned Air Ship Routes for the Imperial Airship Programme 1924-30 "In 1924, the Government agreed to establish aerial communication links with the far corners of the Empire. The decision was made to construct two entirely new airships to serve air routes to Montreal, Canada, and Karachi, India, with the final view to have a ship to reach Australia. A plan was also made that the ships could be of a military value to have the ability to carry some 200 troops or 5 aeroplanes. Whoever it was deemed that a ship of some 8,000,000 cft would be required. However it was agreed to continue with the non military version of the ships."
Organizations
International
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) "the UN agency responsible for regulating international aviation, set a goal of “carbon neutral growth from 2020” levels. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) it has set up to achieve this goal is extremely unlikely to do so: it will probably cover less than half of international aviation emissions between now and 2035 and is likely to allow compensation without real emission reductions elsewhere. Further, CORSIA is planned to end in 2035 and ICAO currently has no plans for the period after that. The CAT rates the international aviation sector’s carbon neutral growth goal as ‘Critically insufficient’. "
Job Opportunities
North America
USA
AOPA: Aviation Job Postings use this search engine to find job postings by state or other details.
California
LTA Research (Lighter Than Air) "is rooted in that rich history. Our teams working in the historic Akron Airdock collaborate with teams in Mountain View, California, and Gardnerville, Nevada. We’re harnessing the hands-on spirit and technological advancements of the time to inspire a new generation of airship R&D professionals, engineers, machinists, and flight crews." "Come build airships with us."
Florida
Van Wagner Airship Group "is a global marketing and entertainment company. We work with the biggest brands in the world and take pride in delivering a premium experience for our customers and partners.
We have decades of experience, creativity, and innovation that ensure we deliver measurable results and exceed our clients’ expectations. Our qualified team of pilots, operations specialists, and sales staff is dedicated to getting you the most engagement, value, and reach from your campaign. Not only will your message look the best – you will receive the highest level of customer service along the way."
Nevada
LTA Research (Lighter Than Air) "is rooted in that rich history. Our teams working in the historic Akron Airdock collaborate with teams in Mountain View, California, and Gardnerville, Nevada. We’re harnessing the hands-on spirit and technological advancements of the time to inspire a new generation of airship R&D professionals, engineers, machinists, and flight crews." "Come build airships with us."
Companies
International
H2 Clipper, Inc. "H2C delivers clean hydrogen anywhere in the world via the most effective, lowest cost, and safest, end-to-end hydrogen transport and distribution system in the world."
Africa
OceanSky Cruises: Capricorn Voyage "We will meander from the Skeleton Coast towards Victoria Falls and back around, making our way over and touching down in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
Feel the crunch of the salt under your feet and deafening silence at the Makgadikgadi Pan, or wait for the floods and flocks of flamingos. Engulf yourself if the stories of the local Okavango Delta tour guides while floating through the water in a dugout canoe. Feast on meals designed by Jesper Vollmer in collaboration with renowned local chefs while gazing down upon Victoria Falls from a completely new vantage point."
Europe
Svalbard
UK
Hybrid Air Vehicles Limited "Airlander 10 brings together payload and endurance to deliver results. Coupled with minimal infrastructure requirements and a highly customisable payload module, this is an aircraft that changes perspectives on what is possible in aviation."
North America
Canada
Quebec
Flying Whales Quebec "a revolution in air cargo transport " "A manufacturer and an operator"
USA
LTA Research (Lighter Than Air) "is rooted in that rich history. Our teams working in the historic Akron Airdock collaborate with teams in Mountain View, California, and Gardnerville, Nevada. We’re harnessing the hands-on spirit and technological advancements of the time to inspire a new generation of airship R&D professionals, engineers, machinists, and flight crews."
Further Reading
Programme on Airship Design and Development (PADD): Airships
The Lyncean Group of San Diego (Lynceans): Modern Airships – Part 1 Modern Airships "is a three-part document that contains an overview of modern airship technology in Part 1 and links in Parts 1, 2 and 3 to more than 240 individual articles on historic and advanced airship designs. This is Part 1. Here are the links to the other two parts":