Giant helium-filled airship Airlander takes off for 1st time

The Airlander is created to use less fuel than a plane, but carry heavier loads than conventional airships.

“It’s a great British innovation. It’s a combination of an aircraft that has parts of normal fixed wing aircraft, it’s got helicopter, it’s got airship”, he said. If unmanned, Airlander 10 can stay in the air for more than two weeks.

The aircraft was originally designed for USA military surveillance. Since, Hybrid Air Vehicles raised over $4.4 million through two crowdfunding campaigns in addition to grants from the European Union and United Kingdom government.

Unlike other notable aircrafts-like, say, the Hindenburg-the Airlander 10 uses helium to stay afloat.

The world’s longest aircraft – The Airlander 10 – has made its maiden voyage from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire.

The aircraft’s maiden flight was originally scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed due to a technical problem.

The successful journey was a milestone in the development of a vehicle that remains untested as a commercial proposition.

The Airlander can fly at up to 4,880 meters (6,000 feet) and reach speeds of 148 kilometers per hour (92 miles per hour), according to HAV.

HAV chief executive officer Stephen McGlennan said the team had been waiting for low winds for the launch but added the airship could “operate very happily” in 80 knots of wind. It can “provide air transportation for people and goods without the need for a runway”.

It is about 50ft (15 metres) longer than the biggest passenger jets but its four engines appeared noticeably quieter than a plane or helicopter as it took to the skies.

Chris Pocock, defense editor of aviation magazine AIN, said the jury is still out on whether the craft is commercially viable. “Technically I think they are there now, but economically I’m not so sure”.