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Aerostat, December, 1992
Face To Face
Nine world records for the world's first special shaped airship reports Elizabeth A Taylor from Canada
On November 8, 1992 the world's first special shaped airship flew to an altitude of 7,450 feet establishing 9 world records for Classes BA-2 to BA-10.
This helium filled uniquely shaped airship has a Teddy Bear's grin on one side and a smiling face, with a 7ft long nose, on the other. It is the third test model developed and uses a new patent pending technology for steering and altitude control. It was invented, designed and built by its pilot, Hokan Colting, CEO of 21st Century Airships Inc. of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
Both steering and altitude are achieved through variable and deflected thrust from two of the blimp's three engines. The third engine operates independently and is used solely as a back up system. The record flight was made using only the back up system as a final test for this third and last test model.
A traditional cigar shaped airship requires an airflow over the fin's control surfaces. When it slows down, below an air speed of approximately 10 knots, the steering and altitude controls no longer function. Hence the need for a large ground crew to assist the pilot with take-offs and landings. Colting's new technology has eliminated the need for conventional fins/rudders. His unique design means that only one person, as ground crew, is required to assist with the take-offs and landings.
Swedish born Hokan Colting has been manufacturing and commercially flying lighter-than-air aircraft since 1975, the year he started his first balloon manufacturing company in Ireland, "Colting Balloons Ltd." Today this company, known as "Thunder & Colt Ltd.", is located in England. Colting has extensive experience as a hot-air balloon and hot-air airship pilot. As a pilot, he became increasingly dissatisfied with the awkward and old fashioned control systems in use. But it was not until he moved to Canada in 1980 that he was able to experiment with new and improved methods for both steering and altitude control. The model flown on November 8, 1992 demonstrated, with outstanding success, this new control method.
For many years, Colting has envisioned the perfect lighter-than-air vehicle. He wanted an airship that manoeuvred so well it could turn on a dime, required only a ground crew of one person and a pilot. An airship that was both fun to fly and would excite passengers and clients like no other aircraft has before. An airship that could land in small fields, not just airports. And above all an airship that would handle safely and comfortably in all types of flying weather conditions.
Many models were built and tested. It was not until the summer of 1991 that the first prototype was flown, which was a spherical airship with two 24 hp engines. Over a three month period, several hundred take-offs and landings were performed using only one ground crew. Between flights the airship was tethered to the ground and left outside with no shelter, withstanding three severe weather storms without damage.
After completing the necessary testing, it was clear to Colting that this new technology would not only work with spherical and conventional cigar shaped airships. But more important, it could also be used with special shaped airships, which up until now have been limited exclusively to hot-air balloons. In contrast, traditional airships, with fins in the back, are restricted to the cigar shape.
Those experienced in ballooning know that Hokan Colting is no stranger to special shaped hot-air balloons. His famed "Pomperipossa", a witch's head with protuding nose and ears, was one of the first special shapes ever built and the only special shape to compete in the Hot-Air Balloon World Championships in 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1985.
Colting's prototype may look like a special shaped hot-air balloon. The difference is that it can do stunts other aircrafts envy. While balloons fly with the wind, his special shaped airship can be flown over a pre-determined flight path. For example, it could circle over an event or town for hours. It remains in the sky illuminated at night, when the balloons have landed and been packed away. But best of all, it can return to its take off location to land.
This special shaped airship does not move as fast as a streamlined cigar shaped one. But for sightseeing rides and for advertising over major events, speed is not the main concern. It's an advantage to have the maneuverability to remain hovering over an area for long periods of time. Colting's first prototype a 33' sphere with two 24 hp engines, had a top speed of only 16 knots.
Currently being developed is an airship with a 52' spherical envelope that will accommodate 8 passengers. It has two 80 hp engines that will move the airship to a top speed of 29 knots. Colting estimates a can or bottle shape will have a top speed of 20-25 knots. The same technology, incorporated into a cigar shape, would allow speeds between 50-80 knots and reduce the necessary ground crew to only one or two people.
The versatility of Colting's airships can also be seen with his use of two envelopes. The outer loadbearing envelope is made from a lightweight, strong polyester fabric; the inner one from a Kevlar reinforced Mylar film. When the fabricated helium bag was tested, results showed a remarkably low leakage rate of 0.24 liter per square meter over 24 hours. Cold temperatures have not effected it's performance. Ground temperature at take-off for the record flight was -5 degrees celcius.
It is indeed apparent that this innovative design, developed by 21st Century Airships, incorporates features long sought after in an airship. These new design features will have a strong appeal to companies interested in using this media for advertising. The discriminating advertiser will be delighted with the economics involved in leasing and operating this airship.
This new generation airship has drastically improved low speed maneuverability and eliminated the need for an extensive ground crew. Exciting product shapes for advertisers and imaginative fantasy ones for pilots and their passengers are finally here.
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