The latest in avionics and computerized flight controls, framing inside the blimp structure, beautiful new interior, three new engines instead of two, flies like a helicopter, restrooms which it never had before, and a giant high-definition display on its side when viewed from the ground - these are all the new features of the iconic blimp of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., unveiled on Friday.
But it actually is so advanced that it's no longer just a blimp, but a zeppelin. Goodyear's new GZ-20 airship is light years away from the design that it has been using since 1925. The Goodyear blimps of old were simply giant helium balloons. The new airship has been designed by Germany's ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, and has a rigid framing inside the envelope that contains the helium. It now measures 246 feet long, which is 50 feet longer than the old blimps. However, Goodyear has decided to continue calling the airship a blimp, for marketing purposes.
The new airship, also called Goodyear NT (which stands for New Technology) is equipped with three 200-horsepower prop engines instead of two. The engines also make the airship fly faster, with a new top speed of 75 mph, which is 50 percent faster than that of the older models. The powerful new engines are placed higher on the frame, which reduces the noise levels within the passenger gondola. The new engines also allow the airship to hover in place. The GZ-20 will be able to hover in place to get and transmit the best shots of the Indians game at Progressive Field, for as long as the broadcast director desires. The passenger gondola now holds 12 instead of the 7 of the older blimps.
The Goodyear NT replaces the Spirit of Goodyear blimp, which has been decommissioned in February, after flying for 14 years. The Goodyear NT will be based at the Wingfoot Lake hangar.
With all the advancements and the new technology that the new blimp has, there is one thing that it does not yet have: a name. Goodyear is inviting suggestions on what to name the new airship. According to the Goodyear home page , the name should, "acknowledge Goodyear's ongoing track record of delivering superior performance and innovation, reflect the storied history and tradition of the Goodyear Airship, resonate with the Goodyear airships' long history of public service and community engagement, and reflect the grace and majesty of lighter-than-air flight."
The Grand Prize Winner will win a ride in the Goodyear Blimp for an entire day, and his friends can join the ride as well.
"If your name is selected, you win the ultimate blimp experience. You and five guests can go up in the blimp for a private ride," said Emily Cropper, a Goodyear marketing manager.
