Being Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google and one of the world’s wealthiest people, has its perks. In fact, it’s helped him get approval for his crazy colossal airship that can both deliver life-saving aid and serve as his luxurious flying vehicle.
Credit: LTA Research
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The first of Brin’s green and modern airships to take off soon
Brin’s company, LTA Research, has been working on developing “lighter than air” vehicles that use helium to float in the sky. LTA stands for lighter-than-air, which refers to the technology of using helium gas to lift airships.
Credit: LTA Research via LinkedIn
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The first airship to receive FAA certification
LTA Research recently announced that its airship, the Pathfinder 1, has received its airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is the first time that a hybrid-electric airship has been certified by the FAA.
This means that the airship can start test flights in the Bay Area and Ohio, where the company has its facilities. The airship was built in Hangar 2 at Moffett Field, where it completed a 5-minute flight on May 12, 2023. Currently, its team of qualified airship pilots, flight test engineers, and skilled ground crew are conducting tests and training for longer outdoor flights.
Credit: LTA Research via LinkedIn
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The Pathfinder 1 by the numbers
The Pathfinder 1 is a huge vessel, measuring 400 feet long and 66 feet wide, which is about twice the length of a Boeing 747 jet. It uses helium and 12 electric motors to fly. According to the LTA, its airships could one day carry up to 200 tons of cargo on each flight. The company plans to use it for delivering food, medicine, and other supplies to remote areas of the world that lack infrastructure and access to transportation.
Future LTA Research airships are also speculated to have the potential to be used for personal travel, though this has not been confirmed.
Sergey Brin’s $250 million mission
Kurt’s key takeaways
Sergey Brin’s airship is a remarkable example of how technology and innovation can be used for both good and fun. It is a testament to his passion for exploration and discovery, as well as his generosity and philanthropy. Brin’s airship is not just a crazy yacht that he got approved because he is a billionaire. It is a potential game-changer that could make a positive difference in the world.
What do you think of Brin’s airship? Would you like to ride on it someday? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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