An Assessment of Lighter that Air Technology

An Assessment of Lighter that Air Technology
Author: Joseph F. Vittek
Publisher:
Total Pages: 96
Release: 1975
Genre: Airships
ISBN:

Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous revival of interest in airships. This seems to occur about every ten years, but what has surprised many is the duration and magnitude of the current wave of enthusiasm. In the early 70s, several articles were published emphasizing the airship's low noise and pollution and its potential for utilizing relatively undeveloped and inexpensive landing sites. Because aircraft noise and airport expansion were major issues at the time, many environmentalists added their support to the usual cadre of ex-airshipmen and aviation enthusiasts advocating airship revival. The energy crisis and the airship's fuel efficiency gave additional impetus to the movement, attracting more conservative elements of industry and government. Simultaneous with renewed interest in the United States, several design projects were started in England, France, Germany and Canada, sponsored by such reputable firms as Shell International. A German firm has built several small airships recently and a Canadian airship will be flown within the year. A British group has flown a small recreational vehicle. Even the Soviet press announced design studies in progress in the USSR. Add to these conditions a number of both vocal and articulate advocates and what might have been another brief period of popular interest has become a major topic of discussion. As a result, the United States Government is re-examining airships. The Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences heard several LTA presentations during its hearings on Advanced Aeronautical Concepts. The Naval Air Development Center at Warminster, Pennsylvania, has begun an inhouse study of current technology that could be applied to lighter than air. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ames Research Center recently awarded two study contracts to analyze LTA concepts. To focus these activities, NASA, the Navy, the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration sponsored a one-week workshop on lighter than air. This program, organized and directed by the MIT Flight Transportation Laboratory, is documented in this report and FTL Report 75-2, Proceedings of the Interagency Workshop on Lighter Than Air Vehicles.

An Assessment of Lighter Than Air Technology

An Assessment of Lighter Than Air Technology
Author: Joseph F. Vittek
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 1974
Genre: Airships
ISBN:

This document is a draft report of the Workshops' output - The Working Group Reports. It is for your review and comment which should be returned to me by January 1, 1975. With those comments and criticisms in hand, I will make any needed revisions, add sections on background, history, etc. and print significant comments or minority views if they exist. The revised final report will be issued in the spring of 1975. With this draft report completed, I will turn my attention to the proceedings. A preliminary review indicates that there is more work to be done on the papers than expected, but I still plan to mail the papers in early 1975. I am pleased to announce that the AIAA has approved its' LTA subcommittee's plan to hold a followup conference in Snowmass-at- Aspen, Colorado, July 15-17, 1975. Details will be in the December issue of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Hope to see you there! To help us improve that program, could you take a few minutes to complete and return the questionnaire on the reverse side of this page? It would be very helpful. The major issues addressed were: 1. Should the United States Government, undertake development of a Lighter Than Air vehicle. 2. Should the United States sponsor research and technology efforts in the area of Lighter Than Air including the construction of an experimental LTA research vehicle? Due to unknown economic risks, the group concluded that it was premature to stress government development of an LTA vehicle at this time. Rather, appropriate agencies, particularly NASA, should sponsor appropriate studies in LTA to better define the technical unknowns. only after some of the general uncertainties are resolved did the group feel that it would be beneficial to construct an experimental LTA vehicle. However, the working group did feel that a positive policy statement was needed, which is set out starting on page 3 of this report.

Proceedings of the Interagency Workshop on Lighter Than Air Vehicles

Proceedings of the Interagency Workshop on Lighter Than Air Vehicles
Author: Joseph F. Vittek
Publisher:
Total Pages: 730
Release: 1975
Genre: Airships
ISBN:

Preface: in the past few years there has been much discussion both In the United States and abroad of the ability of Lighter Than Air vehicles to meet future transportation needs. Many of the proposed uses and missions seem promising. However, Lighter Than Air Is not without Its problems. Although modern technology may be able to overcome these problems, the ultimate Issue could be the economic feasibility of Lighter Than Air.

Energy

Energy
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 196
Release: 1975
Genre: Fuel
ISBN: