AMERICAN BLIMP (AB) is developing a nine-seat non-rigid airship for sightseeing and aerial-advertising operations. The first flight of the A-130 Lightship is due in August 1996, with certification planned for late that year.
The Lightship Group, a partnership between AB and Virgin Lightship, has ordered an A-130. Hillsboro, Oregon-based AB is now building its 11th and 12th A-60+, for delivery to Lightship. Orlando, Florida-based Lightship already operates eight A-60+ five-seat airships.
The A-130 is essentially a stretched A-60+, with a 3,690m3 (130,000ft3), 48m-long, internally illuminated envelope, compared with the A-60+'s 1,930m3. The A-130 will be powered by two 150kW (200hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360 piston engines driving three-bladed, reversible-pitch propellers, which will be ducted to reduce noise.
Improved materials will be used in the envelope, and the stretched gondola will have seating for eight passengers and the pilot. The A-130 will be the first, and smallest, in a new family of airships, says President Jim Thiele. The larger A-150 and A-170 will be aimed at surveillance missions, he says.
AB bought Thunder & Colt's airship business in January, including the rights to the UK Company's GA-42 helium airship.
Source: Flight International
