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In what has to be considered a huge public relations nightmare, the world's longest aircraft, the UK based Airlander 10 airship, dubbed by some as the 'Kardashian Blimp', has made an embarrassing second public air display by unceremoniously hitting a telegraph pole, (although the company later denied any contact with such a pole... but the video footage from several sources appears to show a long drawn out hedgehopping, ground-hugging possibly 'plank' style manoeuvre - the nose being pulled down, after an attempt to pull the nose upwards, seemed to fail) and then in full view, made a slow motion long drawn out crash descent (The owners say 'heavy landing') during its second test flight in Bedfordshire in central England,
Julian Bray Aviation Security Analyst comments: The hybrid airship inflated with inert Heluim gas, unceremoniously dived head first from a low level, dipping its twin hulled nose and ending up wrecking the underslung cockpit module.
The airship is controlled by several electric thruster hybrid engines, whilst lift is provided by Helium gas and assisted by the auxiliary engines, being deployed as required.
The BBC reported the airship, which undertook its first flight last week, had in fact hit a telegraph pole, others suggest one of the several extended low hanging catcher ropes managed to wrap itself around the pole, or even fencing and embarrassingly for the pilot pulled the airship nose down.
Judging by the number of ground crew deployed, 4 to 6 hanging catcher ropes would seem to be attached to the blimp.
Airlander 10, if it can overcome what the owners Hybrid Alternative Vehicles Ltd (HAV) term a 'heavy landing' is designed to stay airborne for at least five days and possibly a lot longer.
A cargo payload of some 22,000 pounds being transported at speeds approaching 90 miles an hour, possibly more with a tailwind. It could for example have rapidly delivered rescue equipment such as Back Hoe Loaders (diggers) to the current tragic Italian earthquake zone, as no runway is needed and the underslung cargo/ plant modules simply detached in situ.
Alternative viewing, technical, air luxury cruising, and passenger modules simply clamped onto the underside central rigid framework.
The Olympics could at some time in the future employ an Airlander blimp as a technical geo-positioned camera and communications links platform. In fact a complete aerial broadcast communications media centre.
The future possibilities are in fact endless, but only if the core investors in the current "Kardashian Blimp" keep their nerve and their funds fully invested in the project.
Emerging third world countries, GEO's and charities such as Oxfam could effectively leapfrog their more established counterparts, by quickly deploying mobile resources in bolt on module form possibly including accommodation modules, solar power stations, drilling rigs, water desalination plants and hospital units.
Hybrid Air Vehicles, the manufacturer of the helium-filled airship, said no-one was injured during the second test flight.
"All crew are safe and well and there are no injuries," it said on Twitter,without giving details of the incident or immediately naming the clearly embarrassed test pilot at the controls. As with any air incident, the AAIB will conduct an investigation and report.
Airship maiden flight: https://julianbrayrecessionbuster07944217476.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/airlander-10thev-300-ft-long-kardashian.html
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581 Aerospace & Incident Management Expert, Journalist & Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 www.aviationcomment.com
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