evildrneil Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Theres a lot of discussion at the moment about the problems surrounding air travel and the quantity of CO2 it produces - not to mention the problems of where the CO2 is deposited. Given these problems is the time nigh for the return of the airship to replace planes on short haul routes? It's not hard to imagine solar / electric powered, helium filled airships composed of lightweight composites. While slower in terms of absolute airspeed taking into account hanging around at airports would an airship ride from say East Midlands to Paris actually be that much slower than via plane? Factor in that the size and weight that an airship can carry is much less dependant on thrust than is the case in aircraft leading to the potential of larger more comfortable craft - is the time nigh for the return of the comercial airship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Given the history of the airship - thinks R101, Hindenberg - I'd say a big no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenH Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Given the history of the airship - thinks R101, Hindenberg - I'd say a big no. There was a company a few years ago making them again to transport containers but I think it all died a death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barny_100 Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Given the history of the airship - thinks R101, Hindenberg - I'd say a big no. On that basis we should stop all shipping because of the Titanic... How do these people get allowed out of the institutions again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heyesey Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Given the history of the airship - thinks R101, Hindenberg - I'd say a big no. Helium. Say it after me. HELIUM. The really interesting idea is using massive airships to carry freight. People get frustrated if their travelling times fall, and I don't think anyone would now settle for an airship flight to America when a modern aeroplane can do it in a tenth of the time; but the vast majority freight is imperishable and nobody cares HOW long it takes to arrive, as long as the supply is continuous. If a load's arriving every day, it doesn't matter that the one arriving tomorrow actually set off six months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 On that basis we should stop all shipping because of the Titanic... How do these people get allowed out of the institutions again? Yes Barny, but you've got to remember that relative to the number of journeys / passengers that airship disasters outnumber (in the popular mind) all other forms of long distance transport by quite a large margin. Large numbers of us have travelled on boats and not drowned, travelled on aircraft and not crashed. But the vision most people have of airships is ...."oh the humanity"..... Please lay off the personal insults, it doesn't befit you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heyesey Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Please lay off the personal insults, it doesn't befit you. They befit you, considering you're basing your arguments on hydrogen-filled airships when nobody was even talking about those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Helium. Say it after me. HELIUM. I do know the difference between Helium and Hydrogen...........however try convincing Joe Public to swap the relative and well tried safety of aircraft for airships. Not something I'd invest in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 They befit you, considering you're basing your arguments on hydrogen-filled airships when nobody was even talking about those. Think trying to convince the larger public in terms that would make it commercially viable before you try to "institutionalise" me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barny_100 Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Yes Barny, but you've got to remember that relative to the number of journeys / passengers that airship disasters outnumber (in the popular mind) all other forms of long distance transport by quite a large margin. Large numbers of us have travelled on boats and not drowned, travelled on aircraft and not crashed. But the vision most people have of airships is ...."oh the humanity"..... Please lay off the personal insults, it doesn't befit you. I'm sarcastic, it's just the way I am! Anyway check these links out: Communication Blimpl Blimps in Iraq Passengers - no. Comms, surveillance etc - yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.