Aerial Ambassador
Olympics 2010 - Vancouver
Tidbits from the Goodyear Blimp site:
How many Goodyear blimps are there?
There are three: the Spirit of Goodyear, based in Akron, Ohio; the Spirit of Innovation based in Pompano Beach, Florida; and the Spirit of America based near Los Angeles. Goodyear has operated as many as eight at a time since its first commercial ship, the Pilgrim, flew in 1925.
Are there any other airships in the world?
There are several other blimps in the world. Most are smaller than the Goodyear blimps and are active in Europe and North America.
How many crewmen and pilots are there for each ship?
The usual complement is seventeen crewmen (riggers, engine mechanics, ground handlers, and electronic technicians), five pilots, and a public relations manager. Crewmen also share driving chores in the bus and truck and they take turns standing watch over the ship which is never, ever, left alone.
How high does the blimp usually fly?
Most flights, whether with passengers or cross-country, are at 1,000-1,500 feet. Goodyear likes to keep the ship close to the ground so that people can see it more easily. It has a maximum altitude, depending on the variables of the atmosphere, of about 5.000 feet. Beyond that height the air gets thinner and the helium expands, causing automatic safety valves to open.
What is it like to ride in the Goodyear blimp?
It is the flight of dreams, smooth, slow and close to the ground. The cabin windows can be opened on a nice day, and passengers (the ship carries only six) can lean out and wave to people on the ground. You can see the ground in far greater detail than from a plane, and a given point stays in view for much longer, since the ship moves at only thirty-five miles per hour.
How can I get a ride on the Goodyear Blimp?
Rides on the Goodyear blimps are available at the invitation of the company only. Most of the lucky riders are Goodyear customers, winners of local charity auctions, local dignitaries, or members of the press.
Anyone have connections to Goodyear so we can get an invitation to ride? ;-D
read more
*image of blimp
*my weekly post on things steampunk (Victorian sci-fi/fantasy)
*totally inspired by steampunk posts written by Celia of adventures of cecelia bedelia
