List of current airships in the United States facts for kids
Have you ever seen a giant balloon floating slowly across the sky, often with a company's name on it? Those are called airships or blimps! They are like huge, lighter-than-air aircraft that can stay in the sky for a long time. This article lists the airships that are currently registered to fly in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In 2021, a magazine called Reader's Digest mentioned that there are probably around 25 blimps left in the world. About half of these are still used for advertising. One company, Airsign Airship Group, owns and operates 8 of these active airships, including well-known ones like the Hood Blimp and the MetLife blimp.
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Goodyear's Flying Giants
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, based in Akron, Ohio, is famous for its airships. For many years, they used a type of blimp called the GZ-20A. Now, they mostly use a newer, more advanced type of airship called a Zeppelin. These Zeppelins are larger and more like a rigid airship, meaning they have a strong frame inside.
Here are some of the airships registered to Goodyear:
N-Number | Year built | Make | Model | Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
1A | 2014 | ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik | LZ NO7-101 | Wingfoot One |
2A | 2016 | ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik | LZ NO7-101 | Wingfoot Two |
3A | 2018 | ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik | LZ NO7-101 | Wingfoot Three |
4A | 1983 | Goodyear | GZ-20A | Spirit of Innovation (retired) |
10A | 1979 | Goodyear | GZ-20A | Spirit of America (retired) |
AirSign Airships: Advertising in the Sky
AirSign Airships, located in Williston, Florida, is a big owner and operator of blimps used for advertising. You might have seen their blimps promoting different brands at sports events or concerts. They use several models of blimps made by the American Blimp Corporation.
Here are some of the airships registered to AirSign Airships:
N-Number | Year built | Make | Model |
---|---|---|---|
612LG | 1996 | American Blimp Corporation | A-60+ |
460LG | American Blimp Corporation | A-60+ | |
618LG | 2000 | American Blimp Corporation | A60R |
620LG | 2002 | American Blimp Corporation | A60R |
151AB | 1997 | American Blimp Corporation | A-1-70 |
154ZP | 1999 | American Blimp Corporation | A-1-70 |
156LG | 2000 | American Blimp Corporation | A-1-70 |
105VW | American Blimp Corporation | A-1-70 | |
157LG | American Blimp Corporation | A-1-70G |
Icarus Aircraft: Flying for Fun and More
Icarus Aircraft, based in Palm City, Florida, also has several airships registered. These airships might be used for various purposes, including leisure flights, research, or even special events.
Here are some airships registered to Icarus Aircraft:
N-Number | Year built | Make | Model |
---|---|---|---|
607LG | 1998 | American Blimp Corporation | A-60+ |
760AB | 1993 | American Blimp Corporation | A-60+ |
2012P | 1989 | American Blimp Corporation | A-60+ |
SCEYE Inc.: High-Tech Airships
SCEYE Inc., located in Moriarty, New Mexico, is registered for a type of airship called SCEYE Airship. These airships are often designed for special high-altitude missions, like collecting data or providing communication services.
Here are some airships registered to SCEYE Inc.:
N-Number | Serial Number |
---|---|
603SC | SSV 70.1 |
604SC | SSV 70.2 |
605SC | SSV 70.3 |
608SC | TV-17 |
Other Interesting Airships
Besides the main companies, there are other airships registered to different owners across the United States. Some of these might be older models, or perhaps used for unique projects. For example, some airships are being developed for humanitarian aid or to carry large amounts of cargo.
Here are some other airships from the registry:
N-Number | Year built | Make | Model | Owner/Operator | City | ST |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
610SK | 1985 | Westinghouse Airships Inc | Skyship 600 | Delaware Trust Co | Wilmington | DE |
81683 | 1983 | Thunder & Colt | AS 105 | Aeronautical Adventures Inc. | Eagle | ID |
493JM | 1987 | Thunder & Colt | AS-56 | Ronald Miller | Tucson | AZ |
111SY | 2006 | SY-1 | Daniel Nachbar | Amherst | MA | |
315SW | Skyway Air Transportation | Manor | TX | |||
577MB | 1988 | MB-1 | James Blalock | Sheridan | AR | |
601SK | 1985 | Airship Industries UK Ltd | Airship 600 | Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee | Bungay Suffolk | Great Britain |
605SK | Airship Industries UK Ltd | Airship 600 | Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee | Bungay Suffolk | Great Britain | |
324UA | LTA Galactic Inc | 3X24M | LTA Galactic Inc | Akron | OH | |
125LT | LTA Research and Exploration LLC | Pathfinder 1 | LTA Research and Exploration LLC | Sunnyvale | CA | |
615LG | American Blimp Corporation | A60R | LTA Research and Exploration LLC | Sunnyvale | CA | |
689DA | Skyborne Technology Inc | SA-70 | Skyborne Technology Inc | Wewahitchka | FL |