World's Smallest Dirigible

Nicolas Hulot;

Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico;

2002 CNBC (english-dubbed) broadcast of syndicated French travel-adventure TV program, "Ushuaia" (1997);

While he's allegedly an aviation expert, Hulot demonstrates poor judgement, as he relentlessly tugs the helium-vent cord to lose altitude, then must subsequently drop fuel and weights to keep from smashing into a pyramid.

Wait until you see the reason for all the "drama" !

Dimwit !

Still, it's a cool flying machine.
I want one !

...

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Nicolas
• Hulot
• Ushuaia
• small
• dirigible
• blimp
• helium
• balloon
• Palenque
• Chiapas
• Mexico
• airship
• travel
• adventure
• fly
• flying
• flight
• chair
• personal
• lighter than air
• craft
• vehicle
• aircraft
• paramotor

[TaffGoch]

From what I've been able to find out, it's custom-assembled, using (mostly) off-the-shelf parts.

Balloon canopy: Cameron

Balloon liner: custom-made mylar

Seat & controls: custom-made

Propulsion: Paramotor, or similar

Regulations vary by country. In U.S., it would qualify as "ultralight," and would require no pilot or balloon license. Ultralight status, in Federal Aviation Administration rules (FAR 103,) requires less-than 254 pounds weight. Status must be confirmed by FAA, before first flight.

[TaffGoch]

A hot air, or ammonia, balloon would be 3-to-4 times larger. A larger balloon would be more susceptible to wind, and would, therefore, be harder to control

A larger balloon also increases total weight, so the dirigible would no longer qualify for "homebuilt" status, and must be inspected, certified and licensed

A hydrogen balloon would be smaller, but the gas would still have to be generated, at some expense (which I haven't investigated, due to flammability risks.)

[TaffGoch]

To build, doesn't cost that much. In addition, all of the hardware weighs little -- light enough that it qualifies as a homebuilt -- no pilot or aircraft licensing.

Problem 1): Each fill of helium costs $2000-3000

Problem 2): Helium atom is so small, it leaks through the molecular lattice of whatever material the balloon envelope is made (which is the reason helium party balloons slowly drift to the floor, in a few days.)

[TaffGoch]

Not necessarily a "rigid structure."

Dirigible, from the Latin "dirigere"; to direct.

Adjective; "able to be steered or directed"

Therefore, this IS a dirigible, by definition..

[e1cycle]

Thats the catch 22 on this airship.Helium and Hydrogen are both expensive but Hydrogen is about half the cost. It would take about 800 dollars worth to fill it. Pure hydrogen is safe as long as you dont get air mixed in with it. It also keeps longer in envelopes than helium But where the hell would you store a 22 foot ball ? 800 bucks for a weekend of flying, let it go to pack up and go home a little out of my budget. But this is Still a very cool concept and the stuff of dreams.

[e1cycle]

Your only choice in lift , gas to maintain a small '22 foot round ball shape , that a paraglider motor will be able to control in this manner , is Helium or Hydrogen . And other lift gas will need a much bigger envelope , for the SAME amount of lift , which cant be controlled effectivly  with a small paramotor .

[Grimblix]

I want to build a dirigible using steam as a lifting gas, recycling the condensed water. It would use WATER as its fuel, passing radio waves through saltwater to cause the water to burn as the hydrogen and oxygen separate. There's a "salt water fuel" video here on youtube that shows how burning water is possible. Now that covers fuel and heat for lift, to move around I'd use a "lifter" type design...steam lifts til it's weightless, then ion propulsion from the lifter used to move and steer.

[JoelBakerTheBreaker]

HAHAHA "A silent witness to culture"- i think they forgot about the helicopter flying 100 feet behind him to film it.

[freifallspoiler]

Is this a custom built vehicle or is it certified and available for Europe? What licence do you need for it? Pilot licence for gas balloons is enough?

[PaxOmnibus]

Is there any other gas available to lift the balloon, besides helium, which is less expensive and safe to use? What about a solar balloon, heated by the sun only, would that be practical? Thank you. 

[PaxOmnibus]

Seriously, how much does it cost to build and operate one of these small dirigibles? I could use this to travel or go to work, instead of a car. In good weather only, of course.