Environmentally Friendlier Air Travel

carlj · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 10:52 AM

Why, in the current climate (sorry!), has no-one pushing airships as a mode of transport? Powered use less fuel than an airplane due to no lift required, less than cars for the number of passengers. May not be supersonic, but for internal flights, why not be a consideration?

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 11:09 AM

Probably for the same reason that barges aren't used instead of lorries - too slow for humans. But, as you say, a good means of dispersing goods ...

Tormentil · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 11:10 AM

To slow, and to be able to carry heavy loads, they would have to be huge.

carlj · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 11:25 AM

Had a look at vickers - able to hold 100 tons at speeds of 65 miles an hour. Considering no traffic jams, would be ideal for cargo - but at what cost. As for passengers, would love to have a run in one myself.

matt_xyz · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 02:18 PM

I think people have seen too many pictures of burning Zeppelins! I realise they were gas filled, but even modern airships strike me as looking a little fragile.

Matt

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Not half as fragile as a heavier-than-air machine. With modern materials and technology they should have no problems, uness a 'plane runs into them. If they do run into a mountain then they should bounce off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I think people have seen too many pictures of burning Zeppelins! I realise they were gas filled, but even modern airships strike me as looking a little fragile. Matt

lewisa · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 03:29 PM

They tried it for freight in Germany, called Cargolifter. Went bust before it got off the ground with loads of people losing money.

Not sure what went wrong but the hanger is now a themepark.

smartie · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 04:28 PM

The US military were also planning a project this year to develop airship technology for cargo movement round the world, and had lined up two companies to compete to build the "Walrus", but Congress pulled the funding at the last minute. No-one seems to know why that happened either.

Paul mabbott · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 04:50 PM

Couldn't be anything to do with the power of the plane manufacturers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartie

The US military were also planning a project this year to develop airship technology for cargo movement round the world, and had lined up two companies to compete to build the "Walrus", but Congress pulled the funding at the last minute. No-one seems to know why that happened either.