Monday, June 06, 2011
Coming around again? For real this time?
Polistra loves to see old technologies resurrecting.
Every few years somebody tries to stir up a return of dirigibles / zeppelins / blimps / LTA craft / whatever you want to call them. Every few years the return amounts to nothing.
Could this finally be the chance? The latest stirrer-up is Skylite Aeronautics, with an interesting new technology. Their blimp can be raised and lowered easily, using a trick similar to a fish's swim bladder. In most blimps the helium is contained in a series of cells or inner balloons inside the main balloon. Skylite's new idea is to sandwich air cells between the helium cells. The air cells can be pumped to high compression or emptied. When the air cells are compressed, they contain a heavier gas than either ambient air or helium, pulling the blimp downward.
As with most new inventions, Skylite is pushing the "low carbon" benefits, which is of course nonsense. Without the carbon nonsense, a blimp has plenty of advantages. Use much less fuel, carry lots of weight, takeoff and land just about anywhere. The latter means less time and fuel used in driving to and from the flight, and it means a blimp can serve areas without urban facilities and airports.
Perhaps a recent development could spur the change: Airline profits are dropping steadily.
¶ 4:06 AM
Every few years somebody tries to stir up a return of dirigibles / zeppelins / blimps / LTA craft / whatever you want to call them. Every few years the return amounts to nothing.
Could this finally be the chance? The latest stirrer-up is Skylite Aeronautics, with an interesting new technology. Their blimp can be raised and lowered easily, using a trick similar to a fish's swim bladder. In most blimps the helium is contained in a series of cells or inner balloons inside the main balloon. Skylite's new idea is to sandwich air cells between the helium cells. The air cells can be pumped to high compression or emptied. When the air cells are compressed, they contain a heavier gas than either ambient air or helium, pulling the blimp downward.
As with most new inventions, Skylite is pushing the "low carbon" benefits, which is of course nonsense. Without the carbon nonsense, a blimp has plenty of advantages. Use much less fuel, carry lots of weight, takeoff and land just about anywhere. The latter means less time and fuel used in driving to and from the flight, and it means a blimp can serve areas without urban facilities and airports.
Perhaps a recent development could spur the change: Airline profits are dropping steadily.
¶ 4:06 AM
