Newsstand - But will you get points?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/europe/flying-regains-an-air-of-romance/2007/04/05/1175366416122.html

This is interesting. (For people who find it simply too irksome to click on the link, it's about signs of the renewed popularity of lighter than air aircraft, or "blimps.")

I've often wondered why there is virtually no commercial use of this type of aircraft any more. My understanding is that modern technology has made them very safe.

No doubt they can't travel as fast as a jet, but how fast can they go -- 150 mph? (just guessing.) At that speed, and given the fact that theoretically they could go from downtown to downtown, they could prove a viable alternative to cars and planes for regional transport. And I imagine they'd be a lot more comfortable than airplanes.

How are they on fuel consumption?

Any thoughts on this from people who know about these type of aircraft?

I was fortunate enough to get a half-hour ride on the Goodyear blimp years ago.

The main problem is that they're slow (the Goodyear blimp has a max speed of about 45mph) and they require a big ground crew. They still dock the same way airships always have -- they drop ropes and a bunch of people on the ground pull it.

The main problem is that they're slow (the Goodyear blimp has a max speed of about 45mph)

That sounds a lot more realistic than the previous guess. I was gonna say I caught up with one last month in FL that was travelling the same direction as my vehicle and I wasn't going any 150 mph. Honest, officer.

I'll wait for Zeppelin XP. :)

I've often wondered why there is virtually no commercial use of this type of aircraft any more. My understanding is that modern technology has made them very safe.

No doubt they can't travel as fast as a jet, but how fast can they go -- 150 mph? (just guessing.) At that speed, and given the fact that theoretically they could go from downtown to downtown, they could prove a viable alternative to cars and planes for regional transport. And I imagine they'd be a lot more comfortable than airplanes.

How are they on fuel consumption?

Any thoughts on this from people who know about these type of aircraft?As I understand it, blimps/zeppelins etc. are subject to the most risk from high winds and weird/irregular air drafts - which means that using them close to the ground in built up areas would be out. They just don't maneuver that well.

I've ridden in the Goodyear Columbia, and while the ride was fantastic, I wouldn't call it all that comfortable. One tiny cabin, 3 rows of bench seats, strict rules on shifting from side to side, no loo and no beverage service. ;)

I'll wait for Zeppelin XP. :)These days you ought to be thinking about Zeppelin Vista. Or, if you want to be ahead of the crowd, Zeppelin Mac 10.4 is about the same but has been well shaken down, and Zeppelin Mac 10.5 will be out in a couple of months.

this is a great news story and belongs in Newsstand so let's continue the discussion there. Thanks for posting!

--richard, moderator

Now it's the Beeb's turn to experience the joy of flying by zeppelin on the same route as written about in the article originally posted AFAIK:

Flying from a different perspective

Travelling by plane is often seen as the quickest and easiest way for people to get to their destinations abroad, but after his trip in a Zeppelin, Anthony Smith wonders whether the humble airship may provide an alternative.

When was the last time you actually enjoyed flying?

Whether you were off to Paris, Spain or California did you settle into your seat with happiness, apart from the thought of reaching somewhere else?

http://tinyurl.com/yp7ckg

The article referred to above is very enthusiastic about airship travel. The author's flight was very expensive, but I imagine if airship travel became commercially viable, it would be cheaper. He imagines a trip from London to Rome which would take 24 hours, probably too long for most people, however pleasant the experience is.

But I wonder if airship travel might be viable for regional trips, say 50 - 200 miles. Especially in areas where, as in so much of America, there is little rail service and passenger bus service probably takes longer than a blimp would, as well as often offering an experience which might delicately be described as Fellini-esque.

Would airships have to be moored at airports, or could they be moored closer to, or even in, city centers? And what about security? If you hijacked it, could you crash it into something and do much damage? Could you even make it crash at all? Could an explosive do damage to an airship comparable to what it does to an airplane?

And could you take all your baggage on board into the cabin with you, so you wouldn't have to check it and wait for it? That would be a major advantage and time saver.

Basically I'm just wondering if there might be a viable market niche for airship travel. It certainly sounds pleasanter than what we have now?