American Blimp Corporation
The American Blimp Corporation (ABC) manufactures impact airships primarily for aerial advertising .
The company was founded in 1987. The company is based in Hillsboro , Oregon, USA.
Many of the civil models are operated by The Lightship Group (TLG). Military versions of the airships are called "SpectorTM" and MZ-3A.
Model A-60 +
The A-60 + is a small advertising airship. The first flight took place in 1989. Including the prototype, 18 airships of this type were built by 2003. On February 3, 1999, this type also received approval from the German Federal Aviation Office for visual and instrument flight (VFR and IFR) with one pilot. Some of the ships have already passed the 10,000 hour mark
- Volume: 1900 m³
- Length: 39 m
- Drive: 2 × Limbach with 66 kW each
- Fuel supply 261 l
- Flight time: up to 15 h
- Payload: 230 kg
- Pilot and up to four passengers
- Military name: SpectorTM 19
Accidents
On Whitsunday, June 12, 2011, the "Spirit of Safety I" - the airship of the A-60 + type with the serial number 003 - crashed on landing at Reichelsheim airfield and burned. The pilot died in the accident and the three passengers were able to save themselves.
Model A-150
The construction and FAA certification of the first ship of this type took place in 1997, and 7 units were built by 2003.
- Volume: 4200 m³
- Length: 50 m
- Drive: 2 × Lycoming IO-360 with 132 kW (180 PS)
- Fuel supply 560 l
- Flight time: up to 15 h
- Payload: 628 kg
- Pilot and up to 9 passengers
- Military designation: SpectorTM 42
Web links
- www.americanblimp.com Homepage of ABC
Individual evidence
- ↑ File number: BFU CX004-11. (PDF) In: Investigation report. Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation , August 28, 2013, accessed on July 18, 2016 .