'Flying Bum' Airlander 10 Giant Aircraft Takes Off for the First Time [PHOTOS]
Stumbling upon this photo possibly will allow anyone to conclude that this is just an ordinary, huge balloon resting inside a storage. But this is more than just that.
This part airship, part plane, part helicopter is commonly known as the "Flying Bum" for its uncommon, plumped, gigantic bean-like aircraft shape. The NBC reports that this flying machine is not only limited to transporting people and cargoes but can also work as an instrument for communications, surveillance and humanitarian aid deliveries.
How high can it fly?
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This 302-foot-long Aircraft can reach an altitude of as high as 16,000 feet and it can stay up in the air for five days due to the 1.3 million cubic feet of helium stored inside its gas case.
This jumbo jet is developed and constructed by British company Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV).
Chris Daniels, HAV head of partnerships and communications, told CNN that they spent months testing the aircraft. According to HAV, it will solve all old-style airplane problems such as "having lots of ground crew, limited ability to carry payloads and are susceptible to weather conditions."
What is the use of Airlander 10?
According to The Guardian, the government of the United States originally funded the Airlander 10 project for military and defense purposes. However, the whole project was affected in the middle of its production and ongoing studies when the US government had to make some budgetary cuts. The US gave back the rights to HAV for a fairly lesser rate.
It was in year 2014 when it was finally tagged as the "Airlander" and was then parked inside the Royal Air Force Cardington.
The original maiden flight schedule of the "Flying Bum" was supposedly last Sunday, but it was moved due to some technical difficulties, CNN says.
Airlander 10 can operate without a runway on any environmental condition such as ice, snow, desert, land and even on water, making it a one-of-a-kind airship in this time and age.
