Skyacht Aircraft's Personal Blimp
Posted by MonkeyPawWishes@reddit | WeirdWings | View on Reddit | 20 comments
Produced by Skyacht Aircraft Inc, the Personal Blimp was the prototype for a line of small hot air blimps that used vectored thrust for steering and received a patent for its unique internal support system. They marketed it as a quieter, more precise alternative to helicopters and balloons. Launched in the early 2000's, the company seems to have collapsed since then but they did manage to produce a unique and somewhat cartoonish looking prototype.
Length: 102 Feet Diameter: 70 Feet Seats: 2 Maximum Weight: 4,100 pounds Horsepower: 20 Cruise Speed: 10 Miles per Hour Propulsion Type: Gasoline Lifting Gas: Hot Air Size in Flight: 205,000 cubic feet Size When Deflated/Folded: 1,500 cubic feet (Will fit in a 24 foot car trailer.) Construction: Envelope - Nylon Fabric over Aluminium Ribs Car, Nose and Tail Cones - Welded Steel Framework
TacTurtle@reddit
10mph cruise - when a bicycle or moderate breeze is faster, you know you are kinda boned as a means of practical air transit
Scopebuddy@reddit
Who builds a personal blimp for practical air transit? I assume they do it because it’s fun?
TacTurtle@reddit
It was made by a company, which means they thought it could be commercially viable.
Huttser17@reddit
Likely for aerial photography, not for transit. Then cameras got smaller and unmanned aircraft systems (drones) got better and that market is all but gone.
Jessica_T@reddit
I think airships would still win when it comes to cost/loiter time, but yeah, largely impractical.
TheEndDaysAreNow@reddit
And in a 20 knot wind, where do you end up going?
ScissorNightRam@reddit
On an adventure! Next question.
Oregon687@reddit
Think of it as ballooning with a bit of control over where it comes down.
cstross@reddit
Yup: with the motor, you're at vastly less risk of getting tangled up in high tension power lines (a nasty hazard for hot air balloons)
CyLoboClone@reddit
How a teacher died from my daughter’s elementary. It was a final gift for the end of her career from thr faculty.
RadRuss@reddit
I don't think practical air transit was the goal in this case
stareagleur@reddit
This looks like it should be flown wearing a top hat and a monocle.
Busy_Outlandishness5@reddit
They say it has a gas engine, but we all know it is actually powered by whimsy.
rcbif@reddit
Wacky Races!
fullouterjoin@reddit
http://www.personalblimp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRMaX0s_cRg
I'd tow it with train around around a circular track.
HFentonMudd@reddit
That is one heckuva website they've got. Sign me up
qtpss@reddit
Unfortunately the company went squeak PFFfffft….
Extension-Crew-5736@reddit
I NEED ONE OF THESE I WANT TO DRESS UP AND LOOK LIKE SUPER WHIMSICAL FABULOUSLY STEAMPUNK MADMAN
stanky98391@reddit
Like an inflatable car lot advert with a shopping cart strapped to the bottom.
NoResult486@reddit
Bubbles helped with that part