Don't call it a blimp. The world's longest aircraft, called the Airlander, is more cutting-edge. It's heavier than air, which means a crew doesn't have to pull it back down to the ground, and can be entirely controlled via remote. Oh yeah, and it's also 302 feet long—the size of a football field minus the end zones.
Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson is one of the principle investors behind the next-level blimp that cost about $100 million. The goal is to sell it to oil and mining companies that would take advantage of the craft's ability to haul more than 50 tons. "It's a game changer, in terms of things we can have in the air and things we can do," Dickinson says.
First things first: a non-stop flight around the world. Twice. Dickinson says the flight will be streamed online to generate publicity. The Goodyear Blimp has to feel emasculated.
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[via BBC]
