Floating Over the Countryside

Being an enthusiast for all things aviation I’ve had the chance to fly in some interesting machines; not near as many as I would like with still more on my bucket list. I have piloted or flown in the usual array of GA aircraft, a few helicopters, several antiques, experimental, LSAs, gliders, ultra lights, and of course been passenger in many different airliners. Some of the most memorable flights were in a late 1920s OX5 powered Waco 10, and being able to spend time in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 over the South China Sea (pre-9/11 of course). Now I can add to this list floating over the Wisconsin countryside in a Zeppelin. Last month toward the end of EAA AirVenture I was delighted when my long-time aviation friend and his wife invited me to experience flight with them in the Farmers Airship named Eureka, owned and operated by Airship Ventures of California. It held ten passengers and a crew of two and after we lifted off from Pioneer Airport headed west and were able to “unbuckle our seatbelts and move about the gondola.†The view was fantastic as we floated along at just over 40 knots with a very slight rolling motion like a boat on water. The airship was built in Germany, has a rigid structure using carbon fiber and aluminum materials, an envelope covering, and is filled with non-flammable helium. At 246 feet in length it has an empty weight near 14,000 pounds. She is powered by three Lycoming IO-360 engines; one on each side and the third located in the stern. The pilot appropriately referred to them as thrusters as they have constant speed propellers and provide forward as well as up and down thrust. With modern “fly-by-wire†technology the pilot maneuvers the ship using a side-stick control and the cockpit appeared like most modern aircraft with flat-panel displays. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to speak with any of Eureka’s technicians but have to imagine they have some specialized skills for systems not present in an airplane; like ballast control and thrusters. For more information visit www.farmersairship.com. One more unique flying machine scratched off my bucket list. Ron