AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011 - 44

PILOT BRIEFING

Goodyear to replace three-blimp fleet
There isn’t a more familiar flying machine anywhere than the Goodyear Blimp. Actually, there are three Goodyear blimps based in the United States: the Spirit of Goodyear in Akron, Ohio; the Spirit of Innovation in Pompano Beach, Florida; and the Spirit of America in Carson, California, as well as leased blimp operations in Europe and China. Major events attended by large crowds just wouldn’t be the same without a Goodyear blimp overhead, providing aerial TV coverage and flashing messages on its electronic signs. Now with the existing blimps nearing the end of their life cycles, Goodyear will “take the next evolutionary step in our airship program,” said Nancy Jandrokovic, Goodyear’s director of global airship operations. On May 3, Goodyear announced a new pact with the German Zeppelin manufacturer ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH8coKG “to supply The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company with airships well into the next decade.” The Zeppelin model LZ N07-101 airships will be built with teams from both companies at Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar near Akron, Goodyear said. Construction of the first airship will start in 2013; it is expected to fly in 2014. Goodyear said that the new airships will be 246 feet long, considerably larger than the current 192-foot-long blimps. Each zeppelin—which, unlike the blimps they replace, will have a rigid framework of aluminum and carbon fiber—is to be powered by three Lycoming IO-360 engines, and will “fly faster, carry more passengers, and include state-of-the art avionics and flight control systems.” Each will cost about $21 million, including technical support. Most Americans associate the word blimp with the name Goodyear. ProdAOPA PILOT •

ucts from Goodyear Aeronautics are associated with aircraft as far back as the Wright brothers. “The Goodyear blimp is one of the most recognizable brand icons in the world. An event isn’t considered truly special unless the Goodyear blimp is there to provide aerial coverage,” said Richard J. Kramer, Goodyear chairman, CEO, and president. “I am pleased this investment will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the joy of seeing the Goodyear blimp grace the skies.”

“We are extremely pleased to renew the Zeppelin connection with the famous Goodyear blimp program,” said Thomas Brandt, CEO of ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik. “Goodyear and Zeppelin worked together almost 90 years ago to bring rigid airship technology to America and we’re thrilled to be working together again.” —Dan Namowitz

Say Again?
answers from page 43

1. Air California (1967 to 1987) 2. Hughes Air West (1968 to 1980) 3. Muse Air (1981 to 1987) 4. New York Air (1980 to 1987) 5. Ozark Airlines (1950 to 1986) 6. Pacific Air Lines (1946 to 1968) 7. Pacific Southwest Airlines (1949 to 1988) 8. Southern Airways (1949 to 1979) 9. Western Airlines (1926 to 1986)
Do you have suggestions for quiz questions? Send your questions to pilot@aopa.org.

44 • JULY 2011

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2011