Monday, September 19, 2005
Landing, with Blimp
The Hood Blimp is visiting Westfield. It landed yesterday evening, and has been moored in the grass next to runway 20. It's not often you get to see a blimp from the air, even less so on short final, so here you go:It makes a nice windsock, doesn't it?
There are several blimps that stop by the Oakland Airport from time to time. The Goodyear, Monster.com, and some others. A few years back, the doomed XFL (eXtreme Football League) had a blimp that had problems during landing and both pilots jumped out. The blimp drifted away pilotless and later crash landed on top of a Jack London Square restaurant.
A designated examiner I know refers to blimps as "crap bags," but you're right about them making great windsocks.
Scott,
I happened to be taking off when the Hood Blimp was preparing for a day over the "Big E". Tower controller asked the pilot how long they'd be aloft, and the answer was 9 hours!? The bladder requirements to be a blimp pilot are certainly out of my league.
I'm enjoying your blog. Always impressed with the pics.
Jamie
Scotty,
A lil late but saw this in the Globe today and thought you'd enjoy it.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/10/05/blimp_my_ride/