Why it matters:
Because every time you fly the 5 hours from New York to Paris it’s like driving your car for 3 months. And because this blimp won’t spontaneously combust.
Recap:
Spain-based Turtle Airships has a vision: To resurrect the leisurely trans-Atlantic New-York to Paris voyage. But this time they want to leave Jack and Rose and Celine Dion out of the picture because they want to use an amphibious blimp. Well, technically a dirigible. And don’t worry about explosions or shaky handheld footage or guys howling, “Oh the humanity!” either. These blimps– er, dirigibles will be non-combustible and, better yet, solar-powered.
The Concord they are not. With an average speed between 40 and 80 mph (depending on who you ask), we’re talking about up to a 4 day trip. And Turtle is still in its infancy. In fact, if you have a few billion laying around and you’re thinking, “I sure could use an unusual investment opportunity,” give Turtle a call.
Commentary:
Wow! A company that doesn’t have a working prototype, proposing a four day flight from NYC to Paris?! When are they going to have a flight to Sydney?!
Yeah, okay, these buggers are SLOW. So bring a book… Or three. But maybe that’s part of the idea. Between your Blackberry and your constantly checking EcoMattersDaily for new updates maybe you need to take a second to just… Be. Of course, these blimps– er, dirigibles will probably have WIFI. THANK GOD! Americans have an impressive work-ethic. Sixty-hour weeks! Checking emails at our kids’ tee-ball games! Skipping vacations! Heart attacks at 38! We need to slow down! A four day flight to Paris may not make sense to the winners at Goldman-Sachs, but for others a quiet, relaxing, carbon-free cruise with stunning views may be just what the doctor ordered.
What’s really important here is the SOLAR part of the equation. Your economy seat on a round-trip, five-hour flight has a carbon footprint of about 2000 lbs. That’s the amount of CO2 your car spews in about 3 months! And the average trans-Atlantic airliner has about 400 of those economy seats. And while the Turtle blimp– er, dirigible will be supplemented by a diesel engine at times, we’re talking about a massive reduction in emissions. And as photovoltaic technology improves, this vehicle could eventually transport hundreds of people around the world with solar power alone. And what’s more, airlines purportedly spend as much as $100 billion a year on fuel. Does this mean Greyhound Bus-type fairs? I don’t know. But one can hope.
Ultimately, a lot of people can say they flew to Paris. Wouldn’t you rather say you flew to Paris in a blimp– er, dirigible. Ugh, can’t we just call it a Zeppelin? I mean, who doesn’t love Zeppelin?! Talk about a Stairway to Heaven, baby!
A 4 day trip? Yeah, that’s going to be popular.
hello. Darrell Campbell here. I’m CEO of Turtle Airships and designer of the “turtle” airship.
Actually, a flight on a Turtle Airship between New York and Paris would only be one day. ( 3,600 miles flying at 160 mph). Those slow speeds of 40-80mph are old, blimp and dirigible technology. The Turtle Airship is much faster.
So, leave at 5 PM, arrive at 5 PM. Ah, but…..enjoy your private stateroom w/shower, sleep or make love in a queen sized bed as you enjoy seeing the world go by out of large picture windows, eat in a nice restaurant on board, go dancing in the clouds!
And all while knowing that your flight is “green”!
See you on board!
this is a dream of mine .i hope i can fly on this ship
A solar powered dirigible is definitely a logical step for a post-carbon future. But it won’t be cheap just because the fuel is free. Effectively you’ll be paying for a day or so in a four-star hotel. After all, the amenities Darrell speaks of are those of a hotel, with some added logistical difficulties in supplying those amenities. Still, I’d love to travel this way because the vacation would start with departure, rather than today’s model where first there’s uncomfortable travel, then vacation starts at the destination. It’ll only be useful for overseas travel, because on land it wouldn’t be competitive with high speed rail (which can also be very comfortable and solar powered, but also likely faster and cheaper).
Hi folks,
Unfortunately the company involved does not have the financing or expertise to manufacture and certify the airship they are talking about.
If you want information on real modern airships, rather than green dream airships see: http://www.airshipblimp.com
Regards
Joe