Goodyear Blimp and two RV-8s

This morning's Gaggle flight was cancelled due to heavy rain. While restless at home I saw a blimp overhead right before dinner time. Drove to the airport and saw the blimp circling. Two of our follow RVators: Mike Kelly and John Fleurent, went up and did a few passes with the Blimp. It made my day!

RVs with flap down and blimp at full thruttle.


Full throttle low approach.


Blimp steep climb following RVs.


Don't forget to view the video:

http://youtu.be/6bMVe8-y0I4

How fast can the blimps go !? Never figured over 25!

erikpmort said:

How fast can the blimps go !? Never figured over 25!

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Based on Goodyear website:

The usual cruising speed is thirty-five miles per hour in a zero wind condition; all-out top speed is fifty-three miles per hour on the GZ20. As to cruising range: the ship can carry enough fuel to fly for twenty- four hours, although it rarely does so. When traveling cross-country the blimps fly wherever they go, and the crews try for an eight-hour day, or about 300 air miles.

I sure hope Lead was talking to the blimp pilot.

Joker said:

I sure hope Lead was talking to the blimp pilot.

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They did. There was a ground person too. I just talked to the pilots and they will load their video to Youtube and send me a link later.

Ready to take off at New Smyrna Beach.