Who Wouldn’t Like to Fly These Beautiful Balloons? By Steve Tabor
Who Wouldn’t Like to Fly These Beautiful Balloons?
By Steve Tabor
The Goodyear blimps have become the icons of the sky across the United States and other parts of the world for nearly a century. It all began at a time when the aviation industry was turning its interest from balloons and other Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) aircraft, to powered aircraft capable of flying unimaginable speeds and heights.
One of the stabilizers with Wingfoot 1's FAA registration number.
A single engine mounted on the rear of the airship controls two propellers.
Configured in take off mode, the one propeller assists with lifting the airship while the other assists with maneuvering the airship.
It was 1910 when Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (Goodyear) created its Aeronautics Department creating rubber-infused fabrics and coatings for airplanes and LTA craft. In 1912, they constructed their first balloon and began flying nationally and internationally at competitions.
Goodyear’s LTA airship business took flight as the United States joined the allied forces during the first World War. In 1917, Goodyear entered into a contract with the US Navy (USN) and began a relationship that would continue into the early 1960's. During World War I (WWI), the USN turned to Goodyear to produce nine B-Type airships. In 1918, the Navy ordered an additional 15 C-Type airships, the order was later reduced to ten airships, for deployment to their facility at Rockaway, Long Island, New York.
The cabin can carry up to twelve passengers.
Pilots use the joystick located near the outer armrest to control the airship in flight.
The forward engines can be rotated from horizontal to vertical during take-offs and landings.
When the first protype was constructed, Goodyear had not completed the construction of their production hanger near Akron, Ohio, so they constructed the airship at an amusement park in Chicago. Following the completion of the hanger, between 1917-1921 the Akron site became the Naval Airship Training station. According to Goodyear, approximately 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Navy officers and enlisted men were trained to fly B-Type and C-Type airships, along with kite (tethered) balloons, and free balloons.
The crowd on the Redondo Beach pier stops to watch the Blimp passing overhead.
The Blimp slowly crosses the Redondo Beach Pier just as the last rays of sunlight light the skies.
Following the War, the newly expanded Aeronautical Dept. was renamed the Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation (Zeppelin referred to LTA aircraft production, not an association with German LTA aircraft manufacturer, Luftschiffbau Zeppelin). Between 1929 to 1933, Goodyear constructed two rigid airships, featuring a full internal framework covered by an outer skin, USS Akron and USS Macon. (In 1935, the Macon fell victim to a storm off the coast of Big Sur and crashed into the sea. Most of the crew was saved. The crash site is listed on the US National Register of Historic Sites.)
The Blimp pilots must coordinate their flight path with air traffic controllers as the Blimp crosses LAX airspace.
The front and rear engines on the Blimp rotate into their "flight" position. With the assistance of the rear engine the Blimp is able to reach a speed of 70 mph.
The Blimp takes to the air to provide aerial coverage of the 2022 Rose Game.
When the United States entered World War II (WWII), the four airships in Goodyear’s commercial fleet were transferred to the USN. One of the airships came with the entire crew of pilots and support crew. The airship Resolute patrolled the Los Angeles Harbor operating under the federal government’s privateer status, something that had not been done since the War of 1812.
During WWII Goodyear built 104 airships to be stationed at the Lakehurst Air Engineering Station in New Jersey. Moffett Field near the City of Mountain View, California received forty-four airships and four airships were assigned to Goodyear’s airship base in Akron, OH that had been placed under the authority of the USN.
The front of the gondola is equipped with a high definition fully rotating television camera.
The gray cabinet in the front window of the cabin controls the nose mounted television camera and transmits its picture.
During the war, the airships were used to patrol both coasts and to escort the convoys attempting to cross the Atlantic. Prior to the use of airships, convoys were falling victim to the German U-boat (submarine) attacks. The airships’ abilities to remain aloft for extended periods and travel far ahead of the convoys, allowed them to spot the U-boats on the surface before they could submerge and attack the convoy. With the airships’ support, the USN reports that no ships were lost during their transit. During the war, nine airship pilots and crewmen loss their lives during their service.
During the Cold War years, Goodyear built large surveillance airships to protect merchant fleets and serve as early warning radar stations. One model could stay aloft for more than a week. The Snow Bird holds an endurance record for flying non-stop for eleven days. Its journey began in Weymouth, Massachusetts and progressed to Europe and Africa before landing in Key West, Florida.
It was after WWI that Goodyear executives realized that an airship could literally be a huge advertising and public relations tool. In 1925, Goodyear revealed its first corporate non-rigid airship, otherwise known as a blimp (an envelope with no internal structure), helium filled airship, the Pilgrim. During the Christmas season, the blimp was decorated as the “Santa Claus Express.” The cabin, known as a gondola, was suspended from cables internally enclosed in the envelope (the balloon holding the gases that lifts the airship). In place of bumper bags, a landing wheel was attached to the bottom of the gondola.
The truck mounted mooring mast is used in Carson and travels to any location where the Blimp will be moored.
The mast is constructed to allow the Blimp to move horizontally or vertically when moored.
Crewmen are assigned to monitor the Blimp 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while it is moored.
Goodyear continued expanding its blimp fleet during the period between 1928 and 1929 by adding five airships: Puritan, Volunteer, Mayflower, Vigilant and the Defender. Each airship featured twin engines mounted to the gondola and an 86,000 cubic foot envelope. The airships were named in honor of former winners of the America’s Cup, an international yacht race. Goodyear thought it would be appropriate since they considered their airships “the yachts of the sky”. (Goodyear continued the naming tradition until launching their airships in the early 21st century.)
In 1930 Defender was fitted with Goodyear’s first lighted messaging sign composed of ten aluminum panels supporting neon lighting tubes. Later in the decade, Goodyear continued to build bigger and better blimps. The Columbia, Reliance and Resolute were built with 112,000 cubic foot envelopes. The Enterprise featured a 123,000 cubic foot envelope. Goodyear closed the decade by building the Rainbow.
Deen has been piloting the Blimp for over 10 years.
Following World War II, Goodyear returned to its commercial operations by purchasing thirteen airships previously used during the war. As the years progressed Goodyear continued to build larger airships and with technological improvements such as electronic signage moving from neon to incandescent lights which eventually gave way to LED lights. Also, in 1955, Enterprise V was the first aerial platform to televise the Tournament of Roses Parade. Since then, Goodyear has equipped its blimps with high-definition video equipment to provide its own television feed for networks to use as they cover sporting and other live televised events. Goodyear went international in 1972 by launching Europa. Stationed near Rome in the City of Capena, it flies in Western Europe and the United Kingdom.
Beginning in 2000, Goodyear departed from naming its airships after America’s Cup winners and launched its Spirit series blimps: the Spirit of Goodyear (dedicated to tens of thousands of loyal, hardworking associates of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.); Spirit of Innovation (the name was chosen in a web-based naming contest); and the Spirit of America (a patriotic tribute to the United States). Spirit of America was based in the City of Carson.
Around 2014, Goodyear upgraded its fleet with the Wingfoot (Goodyear’s trademark a symbol for the Roman god, Mercury) One, Two and Three airships. The semi-rigid hybrid design is primarily based on LZ N07-100 design by the German LTA manufacturer, Luftschifftechnik Zeppelin, with Goodyear’s design modifications. According to veteran Goodyear airship pilot, Taylor Deen, “We chose to work with Zeppelin because they are heavily involved in the research and development of the world’s best airships. The new airships have state of the art technology. The Zeppelins are faster, more maneuverable, and quieter than the models we have previously flown.”
Deen at the controls of the Blimp.
The new airships may appear similar to the previous airships, but there are significant differences between them, the size and speed of the new airships being among the most significant. The Wingfoot series of airships are 246 ft. long and 65 ft. wide at their widest point. The envelope holds a volume of 297,527 cubic feet. Their top speed is seventy-three miles per hour. The previous Spirit series airships were 192 ft. long and 50 ft wide. The envelope holds a volume of 202,700 cubic ft. Their top speed is fifty miles per hour.
The Carson location was chosen for the Blimp because of its overall aviation friendly conditions.
Previous airships are classified as blimps because there is no internal structure that assists with maintaining the shape of the envelope. Its shape is produced from the helium inside the envelope. If it loses its pressure, the envelope collapses. Because of this, a series of battens was inserted to create a nose cone to provide a stable base in order for the mast mount to be attached to the nose of the airship in order for it to securely attach to the mooring mast to securely anchor the airship. Additionally, without an internal structure the engines had to be mounted to the gondola. According to Deen, “This makes the gondola experience high vibration and high levels of engine noise.”
The newer airships feature a semi-rigid construction which utilizes a composite material to create an internal framework within the envelope. Deen states, “Having the internal framework allows for the airship’s engines to be mounted above the gondola. This decreases engine vibration and noise in the gondola, producing a smoother ride.”
The semi-rigid construction allows the airship to be fitted with more powerful engines than its predecessors and allows for a rear mounted engine on the airship. Deen states, “In ‘flight mode’, we fly at faster speeds and use the aft engine to push the airship forward at higher speeds. At slower speeds, ‘take off/landing mode’ we engage our lateral propeller located on the aft engine. This allows the airship to turn rapidly at slow speeds.” For the first time on any of its airships, the Wingfoot series features propellers that can be rotated from a horizontal to vertical position to assist with taking off, landing, hovering, and large up and down drafts.
Deen maintains that flying an airship is similar to flying an airplane or helicopter with the most significant difference being maintaining the helium inside the envelope at proper pressures during flight. During flight, helium like other gases expands and contracts with differences in pressure. Pilots adjust this pressure using a two air bags, ballonets, at the front and rear of the envelope. The ballonets contain atmospheric air. If the helium expands, the atmospheric air is released from the ballonets to increase the envelope’s capacity. If the helium condenses, fans located on the bottom of the envelope take in atmospheric air to fill the void.
The Blimp takes to the skies utilizing its helium filled envelope assisted by its three engines.
Deen has flown airships for Goodyear over ten years. She indicates that the airship maintains a busy schedule. Generally, from early fall to late spring, the airship focuses on covering sporting events and other special events. The summer months are generally reserved for passenger operations.
Goodyear utilizes rides to reward employees, dealers, vendors, and other Goodyear associates. In addition, it makes rides available to non-profit organizations to use for fund-raising purposes.
Deen insists, “Piloting the airship over sporting events or special events presents a great deal of attention to detail. Airships do not have autopilot. As pilots, we are always adjusting the flight controls even when hovering. During TV events, the pilots have even more responsibility. They coordinate with air traffic control, listen to the network director for requests, maintain visual contact with the receiver site, adjust for sun angle, and maneuver the airship’s shadow from being in the shot.”
Taking the airship on an extended journey from its Carson base requires intensive logistical planning. The airship flies approximately four hundred miles per day. Prior to departure, primary and alternate landing sites must be identified and contacted. Weather patterns and terrain maps must be carefully studied in order not to place the safety of the crew or airship in jeopardy. Additionally, the support crew must plan for the maintenance needs as well as the needs of the assignment. Lastly, housing and transportations arrangements for the pilots and support crew must be secured.
Deen points out, “Once the airship is moored conditions constantly change and require adjustments. A Goodyear crew member is assigned to watch the airship 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ground crew members are required to maintain the airship parameters including External Envelope Pressure System (EEPS) box, external air blower, Ground Power Unit (GPU), backup batteries and other auxiliary equipment. In addition, while the airship is moored, weather conditions such as temperature changes, wind speed or rain amounts can negatively impact the airship. Crew members may be required to adjust helium and atmospheric air volumes in the envelope or take the controls of the airship to maintain it in a safe mooring position.
Deen indicates, “Originally, I wanted to fly for the airlines, but as I was applying to regionals (airlines), I came across a job posting to fly blimps for Goodyear. I was intrigued and applied for the opening. As I interviewed, I learned more about what Goodyear contributes to the community and their day-to-day operations. It was then I realized this was the perfect job for me.”
Glancing over at the blimp while traveling on the 405 on a sunny southland day you cannot help but think about who would not love to join Deen as she takes the controls of this beautiful balloon and ascend to the blue skies above.
Footnote:
According to the Goodyear Blimp website:
Goodyear recognizes that the term “blimp” is not only a technical description but, thanks to Goodyear, a cultural one as well, the use of the term for the new airship is not only acceptable but encouraged by the Company.
Steve Tabor Bio
This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.
Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.
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