Lighter-Than-Air Transportation

Are Blimps a Viable Option for the Transportation Industry?

Oct 23, 2009 Don Kaiser

Lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles could offer a safe, enjoyable, scenic, and environmentally favorable alternative to jet liners, especially for short or local trips.

When blimps of United States Navy Blimp Squadron ZP-14 made the first transatlantic crossing of non-rigid airships in 1944, locating and destroying German U-boats was their only main concern. Retrospectively however, these first transatlantic blimp flights actually demonstrated that long-range, transoceanic flight by non-rigid, lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles was not only possible but also extremely practical. The first Navy blimps crossed the ocean with surprising ease, effectiveness, and safety.

Although the famous German Zeppelins had made many transatlantic flights prior to 1944, these larger, stronger, rigid airships were filled with highly flammable hydrogen gas. The Hindenburg disaster at Lakehurst, NJ in 1937 suggested that this wasn't the best way to run an airline. While it actually took nearly the entire world's supply of safe helium gas to inflate the rigid airship USS Shenandoah in 1923, helium soon became more available and the USN was able to operate hundreds of blimps filled with helium gas during and after World War II.

Airships for Transportation Today

Most people have seen a blimp at one time or another because they are so frequently used for aerial photography at major sporting events, etc. LTA ships are also used for advertising, sightseeing, surveillance, and research. Today, Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH (ZLT), a company in Friedrichshafen, Germany has begun producing a fleet of semi-rigid airships that they hope will become a viable means of transporting people and/or cargo.

Currently designed to carry only 12 passengers and a crew of two, or a 1900 kg payload, these new Zeppelin NT airships are a far cry from the original German Zeppelins that carried over 100 passengers in luxury with a similar number of crew members. In fact, today's LTA ships are mere glorified balloons next to the majestic German Zeppelins, but they represent a more practical working model for future developments. Plans call for the design of 19-seat airships and capacities should only increase as the technology improves.

Lighter-Than-Air Commercial Airships

Approximately 100,000 passengers have already been taken for a ride on Zeppelin NTs and at least one airship has been sold to an interested Japanese company. The American company Airship Ventures, Inc., is establishing its own Zeppelin NT business in San Francisco, CA. They offer various flights between San Francisco and Los Angeles and a 30 minute cruise over the beautiful central California coast can be enjoyed for just under $200 according to their website.

Helium and Hydrogen Concerns

Importantly, because helium is a rare, limited, natural resource that cannot be synthesized, it could severely curtail the future development of LTA applications. This is no light matter and consequently, airships that obtain their lift from hot air rather than helium are being considered. Surprisingly, even hydrogen gas is being reconsidered because current and future technologies could allow for safer use of this flammable gas that is much more abundant. Additionally, it could be possible to engineer a system that integrates the use of hydrogen gas for lift with special hydrogen batteries known as fuel cells to generate electrical power. Indeed, the NASA space shuttle has been using the hydrogen fuel cell technology for years and the only by-product is drinkable water.

Commercial Airships for Transportation

Some engineers believe that the quiet, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly aspects of LTA aircraft offer future opportunities and benefits for transportation. One idea takes advantage of the size of blimps with their large surface area. The skin of a blimp could be constructed of special solar panels to generate power for the airship. Such a system would require less fuel, allow for more passengers or cargo, and produce fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

Although LTA ships are never likely to attain speeds over 100-200 mph, perhaps sacrificing speed is a small price to pay for transportation that's more environmentally friendly. In a sense, a trend to sacrifice speed began when the Super Sonic Transports (SSTs) were grounded in 2003. Obviating commercial aircraft would continue this trend and help to stem the atmospheric crisis.

Scientists actually recorded measurable atmospheric improvements after the American commercial jet fleet was grounded for only a single day on September 12, 2001. Imagine the improvements after an entire year; that would be a very good year. Lighter-than-air vehicles are slower but they offer a viable alternative for future transportation and a much more scenic, enjoyable ride, particularly for local or short trips.

The next time you see a blimp, just wave and give 'em a thumbs up.

The copyright of the article Lighter-Than-Air Transportation in Aviation is owned by Don Kaiser. Permission to republish Lighter-Than-Air Transportation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.