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Isn’t there a new prototype which promises a new future for airships every couple of years for the past few decades? Not gone well so far
Herned
The problem is “confidence” – nothng to do with actual engineering or practicality, I’m afraid.
It’s a bit like the actual solution to power without fossil fuels – nuclear ( Runs away & hides )
@Herned
That Pathfinder 1 has taken to the air, and has massive funding and the latest technologies, means that this revived mode of transport is working its way back to regular flights. It’s a slow process, as the composite structure and envelope are existing technologies adapted for a completely different use, plus engine & bouyancy controls, and flight control software, are being developed from scratch.
Furthermore, completely new airworthiness and flight test regulations have had to be developed – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, Civil Air Authority (CAA) in the UK, and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This takes considerable effort and time, especially as these agencies are working with each other to develop common requirements, to make them consistent for manufacturers and operators.
With more airships being test flown, media, aviation, and general interest will increase considerably.
Says John Geoghegan.
Quite – what problem exactly are modern airships trying to solve? The environmental challenges of conventional flight? It’s hard to see how they could be both less polluting and sufficiently fast to achieve that.
Is this any more practical than it would be to build a new kind of steam engine?
Paul
Lift to awkward-to-get at areas, where helicopters are not the best answer?
Fastest or nosiest is not always best, after all …..
Incidentally, does nayone know how well “Airlander” is doing at the moment?
@Paul:
Although travel by ship (i.e. regular “on sea” ships) isn’t a big thing any more, it’s still a mode that airships can and should compete with.
Also if we actually tax transport for what damage it causes to the environment, then I think many would opt for air ship rather than regular airplanes, assuming that the tax difference makes a big difference in ticket pricing. I’m thinking about for example transatlantic routes. For routes within Europe or within North America rail would likely be better than airships.