The New Zeppelin NT Airship

Brand New Airship, built in Germany, to go to the USA.

Jul 12, 2008 Helen Krasner

A new airship built for US-based company Airship Ventures made its first flight in May 2008, from Friedrichshafen in Germany. It is now to move to the USA.

First Flight of the New Zeppelin

Fritz Gunther, Flight Operations Manager of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, the company which developed and built the airship, was the first pilot to fly the new machine. He was delighted with it, and said: “This is the third Zeppelin for which I have been part of the maiden flight, and the feeling of pride in knowing all our hard work has resulted in success never diminishes. As a pilot, I look forward to confirming the new performance characteristics.”

FAA Type Certification Competed

Following this first flight, the aircraft underwent a series of comprehensive tests, and at the end of June 2008 it received its Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). After successful negotiations with Airship Ventures Inc, the aircraft was sold to the American company.

Airship Operations to Now Take Place in the USA

Early in May 2008, two pilots from Airship Ventures had arrived in Germany to train on the new machine. Airship Ventures had recently completed a financing deal allowing it it to begin airship operations in the USA later in the year. Now that FAA certification is complete, the new aircraft is expected to cross the Atlantic in September.

Airship Ventures is extremely happy about the on-time type certification, and the company is already planning their fleet expansion in the USA. Alex Hall, Airship Ventures CEO, reminisced: “What an incredible process we have witnessed over this past year – the asemply of the frame, fitting out the gondola, helium being put into the envelope, the start-up of the engines, and now the maiden flight”. He later remarked: “We see a market for a further two or three Zeppelin NT airships in the US.”

The Zeppelin NT has already been flown in Germany and Japan. The latest model shows a number of technical improvements over the earlier airships; among them are its reduced weight but increased lift, and the near doubling of airframe lifetime.

About Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik

Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co. KG has its headquarters in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The company primarily develops, manufactures, and markets the Zeppelin NT, a modern lighter than air multi-purpose airship. In partnership with Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, a Zeppelin NT 07 has flown commercial air tours, advertising and scientific missions throughout Europe since 2001.

Everyone is looking forward to future developments in this exciting and historic world of airships with eager anticipation!

Sources

Airship Ventures Website

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The copyright of the article The New Zeppelin NT Airship in Aviation is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish The New Zeppelin NT Airship in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Comments

Aug 28, 2008 11:12 PM
Guest :
To All,

I am so thrilled to hear that Zeppelin airships will be crossing the Atlantic again bringing passengers between Europe and America after so many years of hideous and uncomfortably travel by jet aitplanes. I have always thought that Zeppelin dirigibles were the most elegant way to travel and since I was a child I have dreamed of being able to travel across the Atlantic on one of these 'floating palaces'. Now that the Zeppelin company has access to Helium instead of Hydrogen, I am sure that a disaster such as the Hindenburg could never happen again. I am so excited that such a beautiful flying experience aboard those elegant, gorgeous and civilized airships will once again be available to commercial passengers. How wonderful!

Sincerely,
Ray Gibson
1 Comment: