Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a blimp!
A YouTube creator who flew in a blimp from Boston to New York City has shared the pros and cons of the seven-hour journey – from stunning views to not having access to a bathroom.
US-based content creator Michael Downie embarked on a different kind of journey in the skies.
He signed up for a ride in an airship from Massachusetts to New York, and documented the entire thing on his channel.
In a video detailing his trip, one of the pilots informed him that the vessel was called an American Blimp A-170, and was ‘roughly about 170,000 cubic feet.’
After boarding the aircraft, Michael quickly discovered that the interior of the main cabin was quite basic – and that there was no bathroom on board.
YouTube creator Michael Downie embarked on a different kind of journey in the skies after signing up for a ride in an airship from Boston to New York
He told viewers that he was aware of this beforehand so he didn’t drink anything that morning and went to the toilet twice before his seven-hour flight.
‘I should be good to get through the six to eight hours. I really do not want to find out what happens if you don’t make it,’ the content creator mused.
Throughout the journey, the airship provided superb views through the large windows.
As they glided above a rural area, Michael panned the camera around as he said: ‘We have tons of leg room and we’re just cruising along at a casual pace, floating only at about 1,000 feet.
‘Heading towards the coast means we get to take in the sights below us.
‘This is a unique perspective. We’re a lot lower and slower than a plane, so we actually get to see a lot more.’
In one scene, Michael explained that a wheel at the side of the pilot’s seat controlled the ‘pitch at the rear rudders which points them up and down.’
Meanwhile, foot pedals were used to steer the blimp left and right.
In a video detailing his trip, one of the pilots informed him that the vessel was called an American Blimp A-170, and was ‘roughly about 170,000 cubic feet’
Throughout the journey, the airship provided superb views through the large windows
Touching on the history of airships, Michael noted that while they were mainly used for marketing purposes today, in the past they were used for passenger travel
While Michael said controlling an airship was ‘pretty simple,’ he noted that it did require constant attention because the ‘slightest gust of wind will blow us off course.’
For this reason, the blimp was manned by several pilots who rotated every few hours.
In terms of the speed, one of the pilots noted that the blimp can achieve 35 miles an hour in no wind, but ‘you never have no wind.’
Touching on the history of airships, Michael noted that while they were mainly used for marketing purposes today (with Goodyear being the most famous example), in the past they were used for passenger travel.
Confirming this fact, one of the pilots added: ‘It was really after the First World War you know… when they they thought about using them as passenger transport.
‘I mean they’ve flown across the Atlantic. I mean the first aircraft to fly around the world was an airship.’
While they used hydrogen in the past to lift airships, helium was used today because it was a safe and inert gas.
As they passed over communities below, Michael told his viewers that ‘if you’re watching this and you ever see a blimp in the air make sure to wave… we definitely appreciate seeing you wave from up here.’
In terms of the speed, one of the pilots noted that the blimp can achieve 35 miles an hour in no wind, but ‘you never have no wind’
Continuing on their way, Manhattan gradually came into view
Some way into their journey, Michael and the crew had to make a quick pitstop to rebalance the blimp.
Michael explained that on longer journeys, ground crew have to add weight to the aircraft to counteract the weight of the fuel that has burnt off.
Continuing on their way, Manhattan gradually came into view.
As they passed by various landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Michael seemed blown away by the unique views the blimp offered.
He told viewers: ‘We’re going down the Hudson River [with] Manhattan to our left in an airship… that’s all I have to say. I’m pretty much speechless.
‘If I’m honest, after a long day in the air, I can’t think of a better way to end this flight than a scenic float down the Hudson river past the tall Manhattan skyline.’
To date, Michael’s YouTube detailing his blimp trip has been watched more than 219,000 times, with many viewers thanking him for sharing the ‘fun’ and ‘cool’ experience.
