BERNIE DELVES
Life has been very up and down for airships, but never more so than with the Zeppelin NT. The ultra-modern new airship surprised audiences following its first flight to Paris this week by demonstrating a vertical take-off and landing manoeuvre in three minutes.
"I wasn't aware of its new capabilities," said surprised onlooker Thomas Geoffrey. "I thought that something was wrong when I saw it going down during a rain squall. Then after a few moments it seemed to bounce into the bargain." A prototype of the ship, which made its maiden voyage in 1997, it will be stationed at Pontoise Airport, but will take part in the daily exhibition at 12.30am.Not only the largest flying airship in the world, it is the first modern air ship to receive certification for passenger transportation.
"It can carry up to 19 people comfortably and has received a number of hi-tech modifications," says Dr Bernd Strater, president and chief executive officer. "Its operational ability has been enhanced greatly by the addition of three swivelling propellers, which are responsible for the vertical manoeuvre. "I can imagine how that must shock people when they see this happen for the first time."
The aluminium skeleton of 1940s airships has also been replaced. It now benefits from modern aerospace technology and has a lightweight carbon fibre shell.
Source: Flight Daily News
