There's something in the air...
It's called the Dynalifter:
If Ohio Airships, (incorporated in 1999) is successful, you might be seeing a lot more of them in years to come.
Ohio is known by many as the "Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers" (it's even on their State quarter) because the plane that first flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903 was designed and built in the Wright brother's bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio...but I digress.
The Dynalifter is a heavier-than-air aircraft which generates lift from a combination of lifting body, wings, canards, and non-flammable helium gas. This could allow for unprecedented volumes of cargo to be moved between landing sites.
As for stability, Dynalifters are designed to withstand up to 30 knot crosswinds. Under extreme conditions (winds in excess of 30 knots), the Dynalifter can remain on the ground either by pointing into the wind, refueling before the cargo has been released, not releasing the cargo, or by being tied down.
Ohio Airships wasn't the first to conceive of an airplane/airship hybrid. One of Howard Hughes’ last projects was the development of the heavy-lift "Megalifter" hybrid, but that project died with him.
In addition to "Roadless Trucking", the company envisions a number of other applications:
- Trans-oceanic Transport
- Remote Supply
- Disaster Relief & Support
- Homeland Security
- Firefighting
- Personal Transport
- Military
It could help with the traffic congestion on the Interstates, too...
If Ohio Airships, (incorporated in 1999) is successful, you might be seeing a lot more of them in years to come.
Ohio is known by many as the "Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers" (it's even on their State quarter) because the plane that first flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903 was designed and built in the Wright brother's bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio...but I digress.
The Dynalifter is a heavier-than-air aircraft which generates lift from a combination of lifting body, wings, canards, and non-flammable helium gas. This could allow for unprecedented volumes of cargo to be moved between landing sites.
As for stability, Dynalifters are designed to withstand up to 30 knot crosswinds. Under extreme conditions (winds in excess of 30 knots), the Dynalifter can remain on the ground either by pointing into the wind, refueling before the cargo has been released, not releasing the cargo, or by being tied down.
Ohio Airships wasn't the first to conceive of an airplane/airship hybrid. One of Howard Hughes’ last projects was the development of the heavy-lift "Megalifter" hybrid, but that project died with him.
In addition to "Roadless Trucking", the company envisions a number of other applications:
- Trans-oceanic Transport
- Remote Supply
- Disaster Relief & Support
- Homeland Security
- Firefighting
- Personal Transport
- Military
It could help with the traffic congestion on the Interstates, too...
posted by camojack | 07:06
7 Comments:
Jack,
The Dynalifter sounds like an excellent invention especially for replacing trucks and fighting fires.Would the truck stops be replaced by "dynalifter Stops"?
I can't wait until they make a smaller version of the "Dynalifter." Then we can all start flying around like they did on "The Jetsons." :-)
Sounds interesting. But what of the dangers of leaks? Can you imagine an entire airport of people talking in that squeaky helium voice?
Oh, the humanity!
Maggie:
There will be "Dynalifter Stops"...but they'll call them Roadless Trucking Hubs.
Bunny:
Sounds like fun!
Beerme:
That squeaky helium voice would be amusing, at least until it got old.
At least it wouldn't be highly flammable like the hydrogen in the Hindenburg, a la the link you posted...
That thing could probably give you a great "View From Above", ehh?
(:D) Best regards...
Hawkeye,
Very 'cleaver'.You are a sharp guy.:>)
Hawkeye®:
I expect it could, yes.
Maggie:
He's a regular cut-up, huh?
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