Passenger travel and shipping by airship died out in the late 1930s, after the infamous Hindenburg disaster. Since then, lighter-than-air craft have been used mainly for advertising. But they also provide aerial views for television cameras. In recent years, several companies have been introducing safer, more efficient airships to the world. These companies include the Zeppelin Company, makers of the Hindenburg, and Worldwide Aeros Corp, designers of the Aeroscraft.

A lighter-than-air craft, such as an airship (or blimp), is filled with a gas. The gas, such as helium, provides buoyancy. Buoyancy is the effect of something rising up in relation to a heavier substance surrounding it. If you've ever spent time hanging out on a float in the pool or at the lake, you know this. Air is lighter than water. When you fill an inflatable pool toy or lounge with air, it will float in a swimming pool. The same thing happens with helium, which is lighter than air. A regular airplane is much heavier than air, so lift must be provided by some other means. Lift is a force on a wing immersed in a moving fluid (in this case, air). It acts perpendicular to the flow of the fluid. Basically, when the plane moves through the air at sufficient speed, the deflection of air creates lift.

Image courtesy Worldwide Aeros Corp

The Aeroscraft is a completely new type of air vehicle. It's sort of a hybrid in that it carries helium, like a blimp, but its shape provides lift, like an airplane. It holds 14 million cubic feet of helium, which negates about 65 percent of the craft's weight. When the Aeroscraft is at cruising speed, its aerodynamic shape, as well as canards (forward fins) and empennages (aft, or rear fins), provide the remaining lift. That's pretty impressive when you consider the Aeroscraft's size. It's about as long as two football fields and taller than a 14-story building. The main application of the Aeroscraft is as a cargo ship. Reportedly, it will carry up to 400 tons of cargo over a range of 6,000 miles. With a top speed of 174 mph, it should be able to cross the United States in about 18 hours.

Image courtesy Worldwide Aeros Corp

There are several configurations of Aeroscraft. Currently, time-sensitive cargo is usually shipped by land. This is because shipping by airplane is simply too expensive to be practical for most clients. And airplanes have volume limitations. But the Aeroscraft's cargo hold of two acres can accommodate hundreds of tons of cargo. And it can handle huge items that can't be disassembled, like oil rigs or huge pieces of factory machinery. It will be able to move huge stuff like this without disrupting traffic. And it will be a lot faster than truck shipping. And even more impressive - at least to a company's finance people - it should all be doable for a practical price. Aeroscraft's designers think it will be able to offer the lowest cost based on the time, size and weight constraints of what is shipped. This kind of technology could make an incredible difference. For example, let's say a big chain is setting up a new store. An Aeroscraft could possibly carry an entire store's worth of merchandise. That sounds a lot easier than loading up dozens and dozens of tractor trailers and driving them across the country!

Makers of Aeroscraft The company now known as Worldwide Aeros Corp started out as Aeros, Ltd., a small company founded in the Ukraine by Igor Pasternak. After achieving success with Aeros, Ltd. in developing and marketing lighter-than-air craft in Europe and Asia, Pasternak moved the company to the United States.. The company's operations involve the research, development, production, operation and marketing of a complete family of Aeros-branded air vehicles used in government and commercial applications. These include non-rigid FAA Type Certified Aeros 40D Sky Dragon Airships, Advanced Tethered Aerostatic Systems and a new type of Rigid Air Vehicle - the Aeroscraft.

Operating the Aeroscraft

Specifications Dimensions (feet): 165 high x 244 wide x 647 long Range: 6,000 miles Cruising Speed: 174 mph Altitude Range: 0 to 12,000 feet Payload: Up to 250 passengers or 400 tons of cargo

The Aeroscraft can take off and land vertically. It does this by using six turbofan jet engines -- an emergent technology called Dynamic Buoyancy Management. This capability will allow it to fly to and from areas without an extensive transportation infrastructure - meaning there's no need to build special airports. Once the craft reaches cruising altitude (around 8,000 feet), giant aft propellers will move it forward. The Aeroscraft's aerodynamic shape will generate enough lift to keep it in the air. Hydrogen fuel cells or another form of environmentally friendly fuel will fuel the electric propellers. This means the Aeroscraft will be both efficient and quiet.

On the Aeroscraft, the two canards and four empennages will keep it stable. They'll allow the pilot to make minor adjustments to keep it flying level. Outside conditions, such as wind and air pressure, will be measured along with weight distribution inside the craft. If the cargo suddenly shifts, the control system can compensate for that. Air from outside will be sucked into holding tanks, where it will be compressed and used as ballast.

Image courtesy Worldwide Aeros Corp

Unlike airships the Aeroscraft does not require an extensive ground crew for either takeoff or landing. Its Air Cushion Take-off/Landing System (ACTLS), located on the belly of the aircraft, creates a vacuum to anchor it upon landing. The ACTLS reverses upon takeoff.

Worldwide Aeros plans to have a prototype Aeroscraft ready for testing by 2010. It's too early in the development stage to know how much it will cost to manufacture an Aeroscraft. However, the company claims that they will cost considerably less than conventional aircraft. Several companies have expressed interest in the Aeroscraft and are looking forward to it being ready for commercial production.

Image courtesy Worldwide Aeros Corp

Alternate Applications

Besides transporting cargo, the Aeroscraft could be used in many ways.

Agriculture and Environment - An Aeroscraft could carry a huge amount of water to dump on a fire in a remote location. It could also deliver fertilizer and assist in identifying sources of pollution. Disaster relief - In the wake of a natural disaster, the lack of infrastructure can make it very difficult to bring in aid supplies in large quantities. The Aeroscraft could haul medical supplies, drinking water and food directly to the affected areas.

Global Tourism -- The quiet, smooth ride could prove particularly beneficial among the tourism industry. Aeroscraft could be ideal for sightseeing travel.

Domestic Travel -- Imagine being able to combine the convenience of flying over driving with the added comfort of extra seating space and the amazing views of a helicopter ride -- Aeroscraft could offer that in domestic travel.

Industrial Use -- Many industries could benefit from the use of Aeroscraft. For example, within the timber industry, Aeroscraft could be used in the planting, fertilization and harvesting of trees. It could also be used to protect timber by being applied to fire fighting.

Scientific Research and Exploration -- The large cargo capacity and its ability to land without a runway, makes the Aeroscraft well suited for research and exploration in remote or otherwise inaccessible areas.