What Is An Airship?
An airship is, basically, a balloon ("envelope")
filled with safe, inert, non-flammable helium gas which gives it "lift," powered
by motors and steered by control surfaces at the stern -- a storable
("dirigible") balloon. In the case of the "Skyship" type of airship,
the most modern, strong, lightweight materials are used to build the cabin
("gondola"), tailfins and envelope. The motors (two Porsche 930 engines) are
housed in the gondola. The propellers are in swiveling ducts which assist the
"Skyship" in landing, take-off and hover.
As the
"Skyship" is a non-rigid or "Blimp" type airship, with no skeletal
structure to keep the envelope's shape, shape is maintained by gas pressure and by two
"ballonets" of air.
Although capable of speeds up to 65 mph, the ship normally
cruises at about 35 mph, at an altitude of around 2,000 feet, carrying the Sponsor's name
-- either painted directly on the ship or on inter-changeable banners over such events as
the US Open Tennis, the Super Bowl, the L.A. Marathon or any other outdoor event.
The airship can remain airborne for extended periods of time
and in September of 1990, a "Skyship 600" flew in excess of 50 hours without
refueling.
The Skyship has an excellent safety record, is comfortable to
ride in and a pleasure to watch.
SKYSHIP 600
13-PASSENGER GONDOLA
