Led Zeppelin Returns!!

Led Zeppelin returns!!  Haha, not really, but I couldn't help but think of their iconic first album cover art from 1969 when I saw this report on the return of the "airship" in 2016. In the case of Led Zeppelin, their album art was a depiction of the 1937 Hindenburg Zeppelin disaster which happened in New Jersey, U.S.A. Just recently, a team of scientists have proven that the disaster was caused by a series of events involving an electrical storm, a leaking valve and a static spark that occurred when they were attempting to land. Since the airship was charged with hydrogen, the catastrophic results are well known, in large part because of that album artwork depicting the flaming Zeppelin as it crashed to the ground.

Miraculously, only 36 people died in this disaster, which could have been much worse

Fast forward 79 years and we have a story coming out regarding Straightline Aviation Ltd., in the U.K.,  signing a letter of intent to purchase 12 new airships from Lockheed Martin Corp. in the U.S.. The airships are nothing like the Hindenburg of course, since the internal gas is now helium instead of hydrogen, and are much safer. Also, they are considered 'hybrids' for the fact that the airship also uses its aerodynamic shape to provide lift. However, they are similar to the old zeppelin in that they are quite a massive beast, measuring in at 280' long. It's unlikely they will ever set any air speed records either, with a cruising speed of 144 kmph (90 mph), but that was never the intent anyway. With a payload of 21.3 metric tonnes (23.5 tons), the ability to stay in the air for long periods of time, and no need for conventional runways, the idea is to get the airships to deliver goods to remote and faraway places, all while using 80% less fuel than an airplane or helicopter.

Work load is one aspect of the airship

Think far north communities, oil and gas sites, sensitive, environmental areas, deep and dense jungle areas or deserts, and you can see the possibilities. Tuktoyaktuk, for example, is a remote northern village that normally is accessible only by ice roads in winter and by boat in the short summer. They could have year round delivery of goods at a fraction of the cost of current transport, plus less environmental impact, considering lower emissions and no disturbance of the terrain and ecosystems.

Straightline is just one company entering into the airship venture.

There are plenty of ideas out there regarding potential uses, and tourism would be one of course. Airlander, another U.K. based firm, has an even bigger, sturdier dirigible planned, with a payload of 44.5 tonnes ( 50 tons) and the option to suspend a passenger gondola underneath. Kind of like going on a 'cruise', but with the ability to go pretty much anywhere, anytime.

Rocky Mountain expedition perhaps?