Helium highs on Spirit Of Dubai

Welcome on board ... airship prepares for flight

NOVEMBER 13, 2006



THE Spirit of Dubai, the world's largest commercial airship, is currently en route to Dubai via some of the world's most famous landmarks.

The craft is embarking on a journey across Europe and the Middle East acting as a floating billboard for the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's exclusive new development in the shape of a palm on land reclaimed from the sea.

Football star David Beckham and his wife Victoria are among the millionaires who have picked up holiday villas there.

The 47-day trip takes in pit-stops at Stonehenge, Paris, Rome, Athens and The Pyramids, before finally cruising over the magnificent Palm development.

Sun man Michael Howard was one of the few lucky ones given exclusive access to the airship and here’s his story.

In control ... our pilots steer us through bad weather

WHEN asked if I'd like to go on the world's biggest airship I jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Previous experience in helicopters, hot air balloons and sea planes meant I was an ideal candidate and it was yet another form of 'adventurous' transport to add to my list.

All excitement suddenly subsided though, as my wild imagination conjured up thoughts of the Hindenburg disaster.

Gas, flames and big bangs were not on my wishlist. 

But an internet fact-finding mission quickly boosted my confidence.

Helium over hydrogen any day. Anything to reduce the chance of a explosion!

But what if the engines failed? Would the helium not just lift us towards space?

Any doubts in my mind swiftly disappeared as I took in the sheer size of the craft on arrival at the Surrey airfield.

As I walked on board and got safely strapped into my seat belt I looked out apprehensively as the gentle breeze pushed us slowly across the grass forcing the guys manning the ropes to pull with all their might to control the beast of an airship.

Big bird ... airship dwarfs light aircraft

But the air temperature and wind conditions seemed ideal.

Suddenly the ropes were free and the roar of the engines broke the peace in the calm nine-person cabin.

The two propellers turned to almost face the ground forcing us skywards, the pilot ramming the throttle.

We darted upwards at a VERY steep angle and within seconds we’d reached a few hundred feet.

· Go to thesun.co.uk/video to see amazing film of the huge airship in the Sun Exclusive section

Suddenly we leveled off and everything was smooth. We were free to walk around the cabin to take in the magnificent views.

But something was not quite right.

We swayed left. Then right.

The wind seemed to be picking up despite it being calm at ground level.

The pilots declared the winds were too strong and we had to abandon the planned flight over London

It was too dangerous to proceed.

The pilots struggled against the winds to get the craft in the correct landing position over the airfield.

After ten minutes we managed to land - with a further 15 minutes spent trying to secure the airship.

It was disappointing not to be able to see the sights of London from the calm of the airship cabin.

But my brief big balloon trip left me on a helium high I'll never forget.