Army Blimp

[LGM30GMCC]

This is certainly interesting to see.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/armys-all-seeing-super-blimp-makes-debut-flight/?hpt=hp_c2

How long until CAP can get one of these?  :angel:

[rustyjeeper]

Dunno,
I saw a CAP hot air balloon out at NESA this year though. If you go to the NESA website and look thru the 2011 picture album you can see photo's of it if you dont beleive me. I wonder if that counts as an "o flight"

[Critical AOA]

Actually Mississippi Wing owns a hot air balloon.  It has been underutilized in the past but our current Wing Commander is determined to change that. 

[rustyjeeper]

That may have been the balloon at NESA. I do not know. I was quite suprised to see one with Civil Air Patrol on it, I did not know we had those at all I know many many years ago CAP had a helicopter but I dont think it does any longer.
What other toys/ tools do we have?

[Spaceman3750]

ILWG has a hot air balloon. O-flights can be done in them, but they are not funded so it is up to the individual member or unit to fund it.

[FlyTiger77]

This is certainly interesting to see.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/armys-all-seeing-super-blimp-makes-debut-flight/?hpt=hp_c2

How long until CAP can get one of these?  :angel:

I was able to see it at Lakehurst last month. It was pretty impressive.

[bosshawk]

If I recall correctly, it is designed to remain airborne for 21 days: not too many CAP folks who would be interested.

[Woodsy]

Just curious, what is the purchase cost of a hot air balloon?

What about maintenance and operating expenses?

[Private Investigator]

This is certainly interesting to see.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/armys-all-seeing-super-blimp-makes-debut-flight/?hpt=hp_c2

How long until CAP can get one of these?  :angel:

I was able to see it at Lakehurst last month. It was pretty impressive.

Lakehurst, NJ ... good times indeed.   

[Al Sayre]

Just curious, what is the purchase cost of a hot air balloon?

What about maintenance and operating expenses?

About $10-15K used depending on how big
Annual runs about $400
Maintenance seems pretty minimal unless you land it on a barbed wire fence or in the trees and have to repair the envelope.
~$20/hr for fuel again depending on the size of the envelope and the outside air temp.  You need a lot more fuel when it's hot out.

[SarDragon]

This is certainly interesting to see.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/10/armys-all-seeing-super-blimp-makes-debut-flight/?hpt=hp_c2

How long until CAP can get one of these?  :angel:

I was able to see it at Lakehurst last month. It was pretty impressive.

Lakehurst, NJ ... good times indeed.   

Really?

I spent three years there, and although it was NAS Backyard, I thought the place overall sucked.