How Many Blimps Are There In The US
When the blimp debuted in 1852, it was hailed as the future of travel. The airships used massive, gas-filled balloons to float above the ground and engines to travel great distances, regardless of which way the wind was blowing. Within decades, they were being used for passenger flights and military operations. However, as of 2022, there are only 25 blimps left in existence, and roughly only half of them are in use in the United States. Instead of luxurious trips around the world, today’s dirigibles are primarily used for advertising and aerial photography. So how did the vehicle go from a futuristic innovation to a rare curio?
The blimp’s greatest downfall was inefficiency. The majority of its bulk is reserved for helium, leaving limited space for cargo and passengers. It also transports its contents at a relatively slow pace. According to Guinness World Records, the rigid zeppelins built by the U.S. and Germany in the 1930s reached top speeds of 87 mph. For comparison, airplanes had already passed the 200 mph mark by this time. Safety was another concern. Many airships used in the early 20th century were filled with highly combustible hydrogen gas rather than helium, which made any accident potentially disastrous. The world witnessed this when the Hindenburg crashed and exploded in New Jersey on May 6, 1937, hastening the technology’s decline.
Though airplanes ultimately pushed blimps out of military and commercial spaces, a handful of them can still be spotted in the sky today. The aircraft may be impractical for long flights, but they’re good at floating in one area for extended periods, which is why they’re still used by companies like Goodyear for advertising and for filming sporting events. But even in this context, dirigibles are becoming rarer. Drones can capture the same aerial shots as blimps, and they don’t require 300,000 cubic feet of expensive helium to do so. The number of airships in use will likely shrink even further in the coming years, which means the blimps that do stick around are even more likely to be mistaken for UFOs.
Types of Blimps in the US
There are several types of blimps in the US, each with its own unique features and history. Some of the notable blimps include:
Wingfoot One
Launched in 2014, Wingfoot One is the first of a new generation of Goodyear Blimps built on the New Technology (NT) platform developed by Germany’s ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik and customized to Goodyear’s needs. The first semi-rigid airship ever constructed for Goodyear’s modern fleet was built in Suffield, Oh. at Wingfoot Lake by Zeppelin and Goodyear associates. Since it first took flight, Wingfoot One has provided aerial coverage of numerous marquee events, including the NBA Finals, the Daytona 500, the Stanley Cup Finals, the PGA Championship, and the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Wingfoot Two
Wingfoot Two, as are all the modern Goodyear blimps, was built at Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, Ohio. It became the first Goodyear blimp in over 50 years to serve as a jump platform for skydivers when the USAF Academy Wings of Blue skydive team made a historic leap from above the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee on Sept. 10, 2016. The airship has appeared at the NBA Finals, the Oscars, the College Football Playoffs, numerous PGA Tour events, and the Rose Parade, just to mention a few.
Wingfoot Three
Wingfoot Three is the newest addition to the new Goodyear Blimp fleet. Its first flight in 2018 marked the completion of the full fleet transition to the New Technology (NT) platform. First flown in June 2018, Wingfoot Three continues Goodyear’s over 100-year history of excellence and innovation in lighter-than-air aviation. It is the latest in an unbroken line of Goodyear blimps, semi-rigid and rigid airships. Goodyear is recognized throughout the world for its commercial airship operations. During its first year, Wingfoot Three delivered aerial coverage for multiple Ohio State and Michigan State NCAA football games, the MLB Home Run Derby and All-Star Game programming in Cleveland, Ohio, and the inaugural World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee.
Europe Blimp
In 2020, the Goodyear Blimp returned to European skies for the first time in almost a decade. The Goodyear Blimp operating in Europe is a Goodyear-branded Zeppelin NT airship like its American counterparts, operated by Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH of Friedrichshafen, Germany. The Europe blimp celebrates both Goodyear’s return to international motorsports and the legacy of the Europa, which covered some of the continent’s biggest events including numerous Grands Prix, the French Open, and even two Royal Weddings.
How It’s Made
Assembly of Wingfoot One began in March 2013 at Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake hangar. An international team of engineers and technicians from Goodyear and Germany’s ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik worked side by side to complete the build project. Parts such as the tail fins and gondola were built in Germany and shipped to the U.S. for assembly. The balloon-like body of the airship – the “envelope” – is made of polyester with an innovative film from DuPont™ called Tedlar®, surrounding a semi-rigid internal structure, which differentiates this airship from previous Goodyear blimps.
Blimp Life vs. Everyday Life
Comparing the blimp to everyday life, it’s fascinating to note the differences in various aspects such as length, width, height, framework, envelope material, volume, weight, speed, seating, and endurance. The blimp’s specifications are truly unique and set it apart from conventional modes of transportation.
Blimp Facts: Science & Technology
Without its lifting gas, an empty Blimp weighs almost 20,000 lbs. Once inflated with helium and after accounting for fuel, payload, and ballast, it usually weighs in at 100-200 lbs.
FAQs
1. How many blimps are currently in use in the US?
As of 2022, there are only 25 blimps left in existence in the US, and roughly only half of them are in use.
2. What are the primary uses of blimps today?
Today, blimps are primarily used for advertising and aerial photography.
3. Why did blimps decline in popularity?
The blimp’s greatest downfall was inefficiency, safety concerns, and the emergence of more efficient modes of air travel such as airplanes.
4. What are some notable blimps in the US?
Notable blimps in the US include Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two, Wingfoot Three, and the Europe Blimp.
5. How is a blimp constructed?
The construction of a blimp involves an international team of engineers and technicians working on the assembly of various components such as the envelope, gondola, and internal structure.
6. What are the unique features of blimps compared to conventional modes of transportation?
Blimps have unique features such as their envelope material, volume, seating capacity, and endurance, which set them apart from conventional modes of transportation.