CAP Talk

Operations => Aerospace Education => Topic started by: LGM30GMCC on August 10, 2012, 08:05:27 PM

Title: Army Blimp
Post by: LGM30GMCC on August 10, 2012, 08:05:27 PM
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 (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: >:D
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: rustyjeeper on August 10, 2012, 10:11:49 PM
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"???
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: Critical AOA on August 10, 2012, 11:03:11 PM
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. 
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: rustyjeeper on August 10, 2012, 11:36:26 PM
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?
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: Spaceman3750 on August 11, 2012, 08:45:58 PM
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.
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: FlyTiger77 on August 15, 2012, 02:39:52 AM
Quote from: LGM30GMCC on August 10, 2012, 08:05:27 PM
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 (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: >:D

I was able to see it at Lakehurst last month. It was pretty impressive.
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: bosshawk on August 15, 2012, 05:57:54 AM
If I recall correctly, it is designed to remain airborne for 21 days: not too many CAP folks who would be interested.
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: Woodsy on August 15, 2012, 07:44:08 AM
Just curious, what is the purchase cost of a hot air balloon?

What about maintenance and operating expenses?
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: Private Investigator on August 15, 2012, 08:55:33 AM
Quote from: FlyTiger77 on August 15, 2012, 02:39:52 AM
Quote from: LGM30GMCC on August 10, 2012, 08:05:27 PM
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 (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: >:D

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

Lakehurst, NJ ... good times indeed.   8)
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: Al Sayre on August 15, 2012, 12:25:38 PM
Quote from: Woodsy on August 15, 2012, 07:44:08 AM
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.
Title: Re: Army Blimp
Post by: SarDragon on August 15, 2012, 08:58:20 PM
Quote from: Private Investigator on August 15, 2012, 08:55:33 AM
Quote from: FlyTiger77 on August 15, 2012, 02:39:52 AM
Quote from: LGM30GMCC on August 10, 2012, 08:05:27 PM
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 (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: >:D

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

Lakehurst, NJ ... good times indeed.   8)

Really????

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