Noting that Goodyear and its blimps are “two
things that go together like America and apple
pie,” Germany’s ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik
will be supplying the tire maker with a new
fleet of airships going well into the next
decade.
Goodyear has floated more than 300 editions of
the unique aircraft over the past 85 years,
including two large rigid models – the U.S.S.
Macon and U.S.S. Akron.
“Our current airships are approaching the end
of their lifecycle, and we saw this as an
opportunity to take the next evolutionary step
in our airship program,” says Nancy
Jandrokovic, director of global airship
operations.
“Throughout the history of blimps, Goodyear
has been an innovative leader. With Goodyear
and Zeppelin working together again, we
believe a new standard is about to be set,”
she says.
The Zeppelin LZ N07-101 models will be built
at Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar
near Akron, Ohio.
Construction on the first airship is scheduled
to start in 2013 and begin flying in
2014.
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“We are extremely pleased to renew the
Zeppelin connection with the famous Goodyear
blimp program,” says Thomas Brandt, CEO of ZLT
Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co.
KG.
“Goodyear and Zeppelin worked together almost
90 years ago to bring rigid airship technology
to America,” he points out, “and we’re
thrilled to be working together again.”
The rigid crafts will be slightly larger than
the blimps in Goodyear’s current fleet, being
able to fly faster and carry more passengers
while including state-of-the art avionics and
flight control systems.
They cost about $21 million each.
“The Goodyear blimp is one of the most
recognizable brand icons in the world. An
event isn’t considered truly special unless
the Goodyear blimp is there to provide aerial
coverage,” says Richard J. Kramer, the tire
maker’s chairman, CEO and president.
“I am pleased this investment will ensure that
future generations will have the opportunity
to experience the joy of seeing the Goodyear
blimp grace the skies,” he adds.
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Goodyear currently operates three airships in
North America – the Spirit of Goodyear in
Akron; the Spirit of Innovation in Pompano
Beach, Fla.; and the Spirit of America in
Carson, Calif. The company also has leased
blimp operations in Europe and China.
For more information, visit www.goodyear.com.
