Aircraft

"Luxury tourism" version of world's largest aircraft is in the works

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Hybrid Air Vehicles has announced two new developments that could lead to the Airlander 10's use in the field of tourism
Hybrid Air Vehicles has announced two new developments that could lead to the Airlander 10's use in the field of tourism
Next year, UK-based Henry Cookson Adventures (HCA) will become the first private excursion company to trial the Airlander 10

Airships may indeed be well-suited to tasks like cargo transport, surveying and surveillance, but what really captures peoples' imaginations is the thought of travelling aboard one as a tourist. Well, according to Britain's Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), such a scenario could soon be a reality.

HAV is the developer of the Airlander 10, which is currently the world's largest aircraft. It's powered by four 325-hp (242-kW) turbocharged diesel engines and uses aerodynamic lift like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft to take off, with helium keeping it aloft once it's in the air. Additionally, it can carry payloads of up to 10,000 kg (22,050 lb), stay in the air for five days at a time with a crew, and doesn't require a purpose-built runway.

Although it is still in the test-flight phase, most of its anticipated applications so far have centered around the industrial sector. This Thursday, however, HAV announced two new developments that could lead to the aircraft's use in the field of tourism, as well.

Next year, UK-based Henry Cookson Adventures (HCA) will become the first private excursion company to trial the Airlander 10

First of all, the company revealed that next year, UK-based Henry Cookson Adventures (HCA) will become the first private excursion company to trial the Airlander 10. HCA will be taking the aircraft on its first international flight – an "expeditionary journey" – with an eye towards ultimately using a type-certified version of it for transporting paying customers to remote and exotic locations around the world.

Secondly, it was announced that the luxury cabin interiors that could feature in that version of the aircraft are being designed by British firm Design Q. The design process is being financed via a £60,000 Innovate UK government grant.

"The ability to stay aloft for days at a time, in virtual silence, with floor-to-ceiling windows and fresh air make Airlander perfect for cruising in exceptional locations," HAV states in a press release.

Source: Hybrid Air Vehicles

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5 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think it would be really cool to ride in that.
BanisterJH
If virtual silence is a selling point, they may want to consider switching from turbodiesel to fuel cell powered electric props in the passenger version. I'm sure Honda or Toyota would love the publicity.
Grunt
Sounds great, until one of the natives in these remote and out-of-the-way places takes a violent dislike to the intrusion and lets rip with his inevitable AK47. Could be a thrilling holiday.....
Douglas Bennett Rogers
This could land anywhere in the world on one load of fuel.
Jason Catterall
Don't they keep crashing the damn thing?