Flew around Goodyear blimp
- Thread starter Inverted25
- Start date
KSCessnaDriver
Well-Known Member
Nice. I've always wondered how much differently they fly than what I'm in. Defiantly look different
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
KHanson said:They're hiring first officers, too, lol. Nice pics. Blimp has the right of way.
They're hiring pilots. IIRC, The Goodyear airships are type certificated for one flight crew member, so technically there is no "first officer."
There are airships that require two flight crew (Skyship 600 comes to mind), but I do not believe there are any still flying.
jafra98
Well-Known Member
They're hiring first officers, too, lol. Nice pics. Blimp has the right of way.
Blimp has the right of way unless you encounter them with a C-150.........
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
how different are their ships compared to yours?
Pilotforhire587
Lycra Man
How much does that job pay?
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
Inverted25 said:
They are larger, with more complex systems than mine. Their airships have two ballonets (air cell inside the envelope), whereas I only have one. Also, the suspension system that supports the load of the gondola and associated equipment is on the inside of the envelope, unlike ours, where the load-bearing patches and cables are outside.
There are other differences as well, although I must admit that having never flown or been near a Goodyear airship, my knowledge is limited.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Do you guys have air conditioning in yours? I know Goodyear does because that's one question I asked when flying around lol
KSCessnaDriver
Well-Known Member
Negative, and to my knowledge Goodyear doesn't either. Simply too heavy and even if they did the things are far from being air tight enough to make AC worth your time. Open the windows, that's your AC. Additional differences between a GZ-20A and an ABC airship is in the material the envelope is made of. Goodyear envelopes are literally rubber, whereas an ABC envelope is a fabric material made of many layers, which gives it the translucent characteristic that allows us to internally light the airship. Also, the design of the GZ-20 dates back to the GZ-19, which Goodyear operated from the mid-60's to the late-70's. The GZ-19 was more or less an L-class WWII ship, so the design has been around for a long time.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
maybe the pilots were joking then I asked them over the radio if they had AC and they said yes and we got it going full blast
KSCessnaDriver
Well-Known Member
Heck, they don't even have a bathroom either. The joy of a long flight with no bathroom. Longest I've been in the airship in one day is 15.8.
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
rd757 said:Speaking of airships... which one of you guys was transitioning through YIP's airspace in one of the Snoopy's that ends in VL? I lost count how many times I went around the pattern before they got cleared on the other side.I heard they're hiring again, is that true?
Yeah, that was me transitioning through Willow Run. Also went through Pontiac's class D. Pontiac tower asked if I could do a low approach down 09R, which I did. That was kind of neat.
Maurus
The Great Gazoo
Did tower spill their coffee?
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
Maurus said:
Probably. After he told me the pattern was full, I boldly disregarded his instruction, and proceeded to buzz the tower at a blistering speed of 31 knots.
I mean, who wouldn't spill their coffee after witnessing such an event? Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if he peed a little too.
rd757
Well-Known Member
That's sweet! I was teaching in the pattern and heard you call up. Small world! Pontiac is always friendly with pilots, it seems... YIP likes to act as if they're DTW.
Apophis
Resident Iconoclast
Yeah, I didn't have a problem with YIP at all, but Pontiac was just plain awesome. Really friendly and laid back!
Seggy
Well-Known Member
Do y'all have a pisser in the blimp? How long can y'all stay up? Do y'all have two pilots in those things? They cater food/drinks for y'all? Do y'all have special guests flying with you? Who does the TV Feed from the blimp? Is that a guy sitting in the blimp or someone on the ground?
Thank you!
Thank you!