One week ago, the world's biggest airship took its maiden flight over an airfield in central England.
Lovingly nicknamed, 'The Flying Bum', this hybrid looks like a butt, can travel at a respectable 90 mph (150kph), and can stay in the air for up to two weeks! After the accidents with airships in the thirties, the technology has been completely abandoned. I love these new prototypes! I'm convinced that there is a big market to be discovered here.
Like many of our innovations, the history of this bootylicious airship is traced back to the military. They were interested in using these for high altitude reconnaisance and for mobile communications.
I don't know why, but this reminded me of the Zerg overlords in Starcraft. Or is that too geeky for you all?
The future of luxurious air travel?
I'm imagining full blow cruise ships within 20 years. Imagine having a swim in the see-through pool while being a couple of thousand feet up in the air! Or enjoying your dinner while looking out over the wide expanse of the Amazon.
Of course the luxury yachts will follow suit. The hyper-rich will have their own mansions in the sky. Although we'll have to find a way to supply these floating houses.
Connect a few of this airships and you practically have a floating village. Does airspace fall under the same category as 'international waters'?
One person who's committed to the idea is the lead singer of Iron Maiden. He has already announced it wants to fly this new airship around the world!
Sources:
http://airshipcruises.com/luxury-airship/luxury-halo-airship/
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/stories/lead-singer-for-iron-maiden-to-pilot-hybrid-airship-around-the