Blimps, they are the most fascinating feats of air travel! In its most simplistic explanation, blimps are helium filled balloons, with a basket attached to the bottom. They carry over 100 gallons of water to weigh them down since helium is literally lighter than air! They are navigated by a pilot.
As the Goodyear blimp hovered over our heads while visiting Los Angeles, we were racing against the clock to catch a photo. We had to find a parking place near Redondo beach and hope that the sun wouldn’t cast the last rays of light before I could spring from the car all while while whipping out my camera. No my photo isn’t perfect but that isn’t the entire purpose of playing the alphabet game is it? We were having an adventure!
Knowing there are only about 10 blimps remaining in the world, I knew we were very lucky to be seeing this one so close to us! To put it in perspective, there are more astronauts than blimp pilots! The ones flying this craft tonight seem to be toying with me as they hovered overhead, then looking out to the Pacific ocean, that we would soon be embarking on for our upcoming cruise.
With such a fascination for the blimps, it is a wonder we don’t see more of them but then the most notable blimp in history was the Hindenburg and most of us still remember that tragedy which happened in 1937. After about 60 flights that one eventually caught fire, killing 35 people and dooming the entire industry for future development.
Today the most iconic blimp remains the Goodyear blimps. Originally developed over 100 years ago, the blimps continue to be one of the most interesting branding mediums for the company. Goodyear has cornered the market with their blimps. Mostly they are brought out to hover over major sporting events and offer the spectators a birds eye view as the event is broadcast from overhead.
Seating only 10 people at a time, riding in a Goodyear blimp is by invitation only and is usually reserved for charities. Seats are auctioned off for a cost of $14,000 for 2 people! With a 10 year waiting list, It is the rare person who will ever have an opportunity to ride in one.
The last true blimp to fly was decommissioned in 2017, Goodyear has replaced their fleet with semi-rigid dirigible though they still refer to them as blimps since they are powered in much the same way and the term is much easier to say.
The new blimps are quieter and more easily navigated meaning they can be more readily used at major sporting events such as golf championships ensuring the Goodyear legacy will continue;
On this cool winter evening, I will revel in keeping my feet on the ground while still being close enough to this icon to see the pilots!
