On Wednesday, hundreds of Londoners saw a blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship considered the world’s largest aircraft fly for the first time with a short but historic jaunt over Cardington airfield, 45 miles (73 kilometers) north of London.
A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and airplane, the Airlander 10 can stay aloft for days at a time and has been nicknamed the “flying bum” because of its bulbous front end.
The 302-foot stately aircraft’s engines roared slowly as it performed a circuit of the area — watched by hundreds of locals who had parked their cars around the perimeter of the airfield — before touching down about half an hour later as dusk fell.
The Airlander is designed to use less fuel than a plane, but can carry heavier loads than conventional airships. Its developer, Hybrid Air Vehicles, says it can reach 16,000 feet (4,900 meters), travel at up to 90 mph (148 kph) and stay aloft for up to two weeks.
It can also carry up to 10 metric tons (22,050 pounds) of passengers or cargo. The company hopes to have an even bigger aircraft, capable of carrying 50 metric tons (110,000 pounds), in service by the early 2020s.
(With AP inputs.)
Video Editor: Sagar Kumar