As soon as you said there was no bathroom, it was literally the only thing I could think about. I spent the rest of the video inventing blimp toilet ideas.
I have to write, it's been awhile. I have missed these classic DownieLive trips where you take something, typically an unusual vehicle, somewhere. Just Mike, the camera, and an adventure. I know many, many changes have been happening in your life, Mike, but it is good to see you back to form for such a glorious video. Thank you.
This is very cool. Probably the only time you'll hear ATC talking to an airship/blimp. Very cool Mike. As a New Englander I hope you enjoyed the scenery.
It's an interesting thing about the losing weight with the fuel burn. I know from learning about the German zeppelins that they ran on a special fuel called blaugas, it was a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that they stored inside a bag which was inside the envelope of the airship. The mixture was a usable fuel but it was also the exact same density as air. So as the fuel bag emptied out, the airship didn't gain or lose any buoyancy. They had a huge amount of volume in which to store it but it effectively weighed nothing.
This is so underrated! It’s more chill than a helicopter, far less dangerous & more choice than a hot air balloon, and for the slow scenery, a lot less cranped and busy than a light aircraft - assuming it can even fly at 30 knots! The only other thing than can look around like this - not counting a camera drone - is a powered paraglider or something, but that’s NOT going to let you take photos from a real seat.
I've been fascinated by blimps since childhood and it was incredible to get such an insider view! So many questions answered! Also, how cool is it that you can hang your arm out the window and wave!
Oh so like the Goodyear could takeoff vertically cuz they have adjustable propellers but that has a fixed one so it takes off like a conventional aircraft and its buoyancy remains the same, thats so cool to learn 😆
One other cool thing I learned from a blimp pilot is that as opposed to airplanes, a blimp's airspeed is not related to it's attitude. Suppose you're going at 30 knots, straight and level. If you pitch it up, it will start climbing, still maintaining 30 knots. Pitch it down to descend, it will also still maintain 30 knots. No power changes needed. This is fundamentally different from airplanes.
Mike, you're a lucky man to get to do this kind of cool stuff and we're so lucky that you share it with us! Thank you and can't wait to see what you do next.
How is it that your videos always make one feel like the video is specifically made for just you. Downie, your videos bring so much joy to so many. I am sure I am not the only one who feels that way. Keep up bringing light into the world. We all need it and it is wonderful! Thank you for this video, that crew rocks! Have a great weekend everyone. 🌻😀. Side note/question...how does one get hired on to be a ground crew member? Talk about an awesome job.
I remember being invited into the control tower of this airport right when this behemoth landed! Still remember the tiny people running to catch the ropes before it floated away! 😂
I used to drive from Boston to NYC and thought that view was amazing but I believe you’ve found the best way to take that trip. Thanks again, Mike, for reminding us all how amazing and beautiful our world is!
Jeez Downie... another incredible video! I basically know what to expect from the channels I follow. You, my friend, are a total wild card. Might be bike races, might be flying, might be on a train. It's always a pleasure to be there with you though. Cheers!
Oh my goodness, this is the best video yet! It's so great to get this different perspective on so many familiar local places. Well done - thank you Mike!
Holy cow up to 800k subs! Congrats Mike and Team! Hope you guys are doing well. If you ever venture through the mountains of North Carolina, lunch is on us!
I saw this blimp over New York City sometime around when you took this flight. I was out on my lunch break and saw this exact blimp circling around the Statue of Liberty before it just cruised up the Hudson River. A couple weeks later, Goodyear came past on it's way from Connecticut to Philadelphia. I went up in the Goodyear Blimp back in the early-mid 90s and it was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had. Great show.
I'm not gonna lie, man ... some of your vids resonate with me more than others, but once in a while you hit an absolute Grand Slam. This was really incredible to watch, and it makes me want to ride in a blimp some day. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Airship Ventures used to offer sightseeing tours in the San Francisco/San Jose area. One of the best things ever! As a private pilot it wasn't really new views for me, but a whole different way to travel.
So cool to see these views over my old stomping grounds! I miss coastal RI every summer. Be sure to get back to Newport and see the mansions and the cliff walk!
I didn’t know riding in a blimp would be so cool and so much fun. I absolutely hate flying actually taking a transatlantic next year to go to Europe, but I would love to ride on a blimp. This looks fun.
That was awesome, Downie, very fun to watch - Thanks to you and to Skyship Services - Dick's Sports for sharing with us! Enjoyed the ride and sites. Shhh.
What a fun video! I don't think I've ever seen footage from a blimp flight like this. And the captains and crew were so knowledgeable! As someone who grew up in New England, the Boston/ Rhode Island scenery was especially lovely for me. 👍
I was amazed with this video. I love how you make the story and how it is perceived by watching these images. Thank you so much for doing such a great job for your followers. ❤😊
Mike, I grew up in Jackson Township, N.J., Not far from Lakehurst Naval Air Station which was the heart of blimps that patrolled the Atlantic Coast during and after WW2 I saw blimps over our farm in the late forties and visited L.N.A.S. a number of times. That was the same place where the Hindenburg, exploded. This brings back memories of early years. I even knew Moody Erwin, a survivor of the Akron disaster Thank You, Frederick "Rik" Spector
The airships used 100 years ago were a bit different but I believe operated basically the same. The ones 100 years ago had metal framing with passenger space in the round section. They were also larger. They had a lounge, bathroom, and bedrooms for passengers. They floated with hydrogen. That all came to an end with the Hindenburg disaster when the hydrogen ignited catching the Zeppelin on fire. In a matter of seconds the entire Zeppelin was engulfed in flames. The difference from a blimp and a Zeppelin is the build. A Zeppelin is ridged with a metal frame and is floated with hydrogen. A blimp doesn't have a metal frame and is floated with helium. Because a blimp is lighter they can use helium. A Zeppelin due to the weight could not use helium. They are very neat things and its a shame Zeppelin style airships no longer exist in a safe usable way. If we could bring them back in a way they can be safely operated it would reopen the doors to incredible travels for the general public. Fun fact the spire on the Empire State Building was meant to be a place for airships to dock. It was rarely used and was more of a gimmick to say an airship could land on the spire.
I absolutely loved this!!! I live in Massachusetts and loved seeing it from the sky. I grew up 15 mins walking to Harvard Square. I worked in the John Hancock tower ( all glass skinny building). Providence is like a 2nd cousin to me. We brought our kids all the time to their Children's museum. I have to say again how cool this was watching!!
Really wild seeing you fly over my house. I'm right on Fisher's Island Sound where that lighthouse and yellow hotel are. Awesome video! If you ever want to visit the area lmk mike!
A Blimp is kinda magical. In 94, I was in hospital during the Olympics in Lillehammer Norway. The stay at the hospital was very serious. But one thing that made the stay unforgettable in a good way. Was that a blimp passed "close" to my room window. Seeing that giant balloon with the OL rings on it was a magical moment for me! Thank you Mike, for taking us with you on this magical trip
Dude I was ubering all over Boston that day. Everywhere I went I saw that blimp flying. It’s really cool that you recorded this video for all of us to see 😊
This exemplifies "Bucket list." And this is amazing to see what's involved in flying these craft! I may well have seen this blimp once over my town. Well definitely I will try waving if they're ever low like this. Great video and thanks!