I spent 8 hours FLYING in a BLIMP!

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 791

  • @Bozthecat
    @Bozthecat 3 місяці тому +848

    As soon as you said there was no bathroom, it was literally the only thing I could think about. I spent the rest of the video inventing blimp toilet ideas.

    • @schwags1969
      @schwags1969 3 місяці тому +66

      I am sure they have a bottle or two kicking around ;)

    • @viper11
      @viper11 3 місяці тому +56

      A plank with a hole straight outside. (like trains in the old times)

    • @Tanner-o5p
      @Tanner-o5p 3 місяці тому +53

      Make a tiny hole in the bottom and make a game on how many pedestrians you hit

    • @Unknown_Ooh
      @Unknown_Ooh 3 місяці тому +9

      There's seriously no need. You wouldn't even get past all the FAA and EPA regulations anyway.

    • @Drazean
      @Drazean 3 місяці тому +10

      @@Tanner-o5pjust like birds. Im sure they do it on purpose.

  • @stephenstapleton2985
    @stephenstapleton2985 3 місяці тому +190

    I have to write, it's been awhile. I have missed these classic DownieLive trips where you take something, typically an unusual vehicle, somewhere. Just Mike, the camera, and an adventure. I know many, many changes have been happening in your life, Mike, but it is good to see you back to form for such a glorious video. Thank you.

  • @Rubmaster
    @Rubmaster 2 місяці тому +3

    A Blimp is kinda magical. In 94, I was in hospital during the Olympics in Lillehammer Norway. The stay at the hospital was very serious. But one thing that made the stay unforgettable in a good way. Was that a blimp passed "close" to my room window. Seeing that giant balloon with the OL rings on it was a magical moment for me!
    Thank you Mike, for taking us with you on this magical trip

  • @benjamindiamond2283
    @benjamindiamond2283 3 місяці тому +173

    I was the Cessna taking off at 8:02!

  • @cardiac19
    @cardiac19 3 місяці тому +274

    And Downie pulls another masterpiece out of his hat. How effin cool.

    • @schwags1969
      @schwags1969 3 місяці тому +16

      Mike always does, he is a very nice person with a story to tell.
      And his sister is the same, they must have had great parents.

    • @cardiac19
      @cardiac19 3 місяці тому +5

      @@schwags1969 yeah even subtracting his normal Canadian niceness you can tell he is genuine and seems to be morally sound.

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  3 місяці тому +7

      Thanks guys 🙂

  • @PokhrajRoy.
    @PokhrajRoy. 3 місяці тому +40

    4:31 Mike is a great listener and a good student. Great qualities 👏🏽

  • @bluej511
    @bluej511 3 місяці тому +79

    This is very cool. Probably the only time you'll hear ATC talking to an airship/blimp. Very cool Mike. As a New Englander I hope you enjoyed the scenery.

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  3 місяці тому +11

      I really did enjoy the scenery! I didn’t know you had so many beaches!

    • @bluej511
      @bluej511 3 місяці тому +3

      @@DownieLive you should see cape cod lol.

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  3 місяці тому +4

      @bluej511 I should!

  • @PokhrajRoy.
    @PokhrajRoy. 3 місяці тому +39

    The team on the blimp are so much fun 👏🏽

  • @AlRoderick
    @AlRoderick 3 місяці тому +35

    It's an interesting thing about the losing weight with the fuel burn. I know from learning about the German zeppelins that they ran on a special fuel called blaugas, it was a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that they stored inside a bag which was inside the envelope of the airship. The mixture was a usable fuel but it was also the exact same density as air. So as the fuel bag emptied out, the airship didn't gain or lose any buoyancy. They had a huge amount of volume in which to store it but it effectively weighed nothing.

  • @whophd
    @whophd 3 місяці тому +53

    This is so underrated! It’s more chill than a helicopter, far less dangerous & more choice than a hot air balloon, and for the slow scenery, a lot less cranped and busy than a light aircraft - assuming it can even fly at 30 knots! The only other thing than can look around like this - not counting a camera drone - is a powered paraglider or something, but that’s NOT going to let you take photos from a real seat.

  • @zollotech
    @zollotech 3 місяці тому +9

    Such a great way to travel. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  3 місяці тому +3

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @AdeleMcAlear
    @AdeleMcAlear 3 місяці тому +19

    I've been fascinated by blimps since childhood and it was incredible to get such an insider view! So many questions answered! Also, how cool is it that you can hang your arm out the window and wave!

  • @grantberardi5080
    @grantberardi5080 3 місяці тому +17

    Mike, you're a lucky man to get to do this kind of cool stuff and we're so lucky that you share it with us! Thank you and can't wait to see what you do next.

  • @Nobi36
    @Nobi36 3 місяці тому +80

    Oh so like the Goodyear could takeoff vertically cuz they have adjustable propellers but that has a fixed one so it takes off like a conventional aircraft and its buoyancy remains the same, thats so cool to learn 😆

    • @coriscotupi
      @coriscotupi 3 місяці тому +13

      One other cool thing I learned from a blimp pilot is that as opposed to airplanes, a blimp's airspeed is not related to it's attitude. Suppose you're going at 30 knots, straight and level. If you pitch it up, it will start climbing, still maintaining 30 knots. Pitch it down to descend, it will also still maintain 30 knots. No power changes needed. This is fundamentally different from airplanes.

    • @heli-crewhgs5285
      @heli-crewhgs5285 3 місяці тому +1

      ‘VARIABLE PITCH PROPELLERS’

  • @desktopdiddies5530
    @desktopdiddies5530 3 місяці тому +11

    Cool to see a blimp and from the inside looking out too.

  • @yariflorez
    @yariflorez 3 місяці тому +3

    I saw this blimp! I was driving down 95 near Beverly. This is so cool! Love the video!

  • @thewolfethatcould8878
    @thewolfethatcould8878 3 місяці тому +10

    How is it that your videos always make one feel like the video is specifically made for just you. Downie, your videos bring so much joy to so many. I am sure I am not the only one who feels that way. Keep up bringing light into the world. We all need it and it is wonderful! Thank you for this video, that crew rocks! Have a great weekend everyone. 🌻😀.
    Side note/question...how does one get hired on to be a ground crew member? Talk about an awesome job.

  • @nursefoodiethreesixty
    @nursefoodiethreesixty 3 місяці тому +68

    Flying without bathroom access for that many hours is definitely a challenge! Great video as always, Mike.

    • @nataliagagner1431
      @nataliagagner1431 3 місяці тому +3

      It is a good point- I didn’t think about it! So many reasons why not to do this adventure!

    • @uncinarynin
      @uncinarynin 3 місяці тому +3

      pee out of the window and the airship gets so light it will never come down

    • @nursefoodiethreesixty
      @nursefoodiethreesixty 3 місяці тому

      @@uncinarynin genius! 😂

    • @ThrifterPicker
      @ThrifterPicker 3 місяці тому +2

      How did you insert that pic into the comment?

    • @TwoAcreDesigns
      @TwoAcreDesigns 3 місяці тому +4

      They for sure pissed in a bottle.

  • @jaxonmattox9267
    @jaxonmattox9267 10 днів тому +2

    Wow this exact blimp just flew over me today, and without typing anything into my electronics about it somehow I am now seeing this video pop up in my recommended page... weird.
    Absolutely wonderful seeing blimps flying around though! I hadn't seen one in years

  • @houstontexas4658
    @houstontexas4658 3 місяці тому +7

    How cool is that Downie! As a kid whenever the Goodyear blimp came around was always a rare treat and very cool.

  • @DJSwitchPDX
    @DJSwitchPDX 3 місяці тому +5

    I'm not gonna lie, man ... some of your vids resonate with me more than others, but once in a while you hit an absolute Grand Slam. This was really incredible to watch, and it makes me want to ride in a blimp some day. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  • @Airstrike87
    @Airstrike87 3 місяці тому +14

    I remember being invited into the control tower of this airport right when this behemoth landed! Still remember the tiny people running to catch the ropes before it floated away! 😂

  • @goodson77784
    @goodson77784 3 місяці тому +84

    "You're a helicopter?" Classic.

    • @raramcgee4982
      @raramcgee4982 3 місяці тому +7

      Reminded me of the LA speed story. Classic as well.

  • @derick-smith
    @derick-smith 3 місяці тому +8

    Jeez Downie... another incredible video! I basically know what to expect from the channels I follow. You, my friend, are a total wild card. Might be bike races, might be flying, might be on a train. It's always a pleasure to be there with you though. Cheers!

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  3 місяці тому +5

      That’s what I like to do! Keep you on your toes!

  • @blancoshask
    @blancoshask 3 місяці тому +15

    Terry's a gem.

    • @Barberslave1
      @Barberslave1 3 місяці тому +1

      Worked with him for years.. his stories and abilities are absolutely incredible

    • @kathleenchild
      @kathleenchild 3 місяці тому +1

      Fascinating! What a wonderful experience for you. Thanks for taking us along.

  • @JBS319
    @JBS319 3 місяці тому +2

    I saw this blimp over New York City sometime around when you took this flight. I was out on my lunch break and saw this exact blimp circling around the Statue of Liberty before it just cruised up the Hudson River. A couple weeks later, Goodyear came past on it's way from Connecticut to Philadelphia. I went up in the Goodyear Blimp back in the early-mid 90s and it was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had. Great show.

  • @jodyrenner5357
    @jodyrenner5357 3 місяці тому +3

    I loved this!!! Blimps have always fascinated me!!! Enjoyed this so much!!! Thank you!

  • @blueman5924
    @blueman5924 3 місяці тому +2

    Wow, wow ,wow ! What a show ! What a view, and a cool crew ! Thanks for the ride-along !👍👍

  • @DanielleGlick
    @DanielleGlick 3 місяці тому +5

    By far the coolest video on your channel! I've never seen ANYONE ride in a blimp!

  • @LeeTomaVideo
    @LeeTomaVideo 3 місяці тому +2

    Oh my goodness, this is the best video yet! It's so great to get this different perspective on so many familiar local places. Well done - thank you Mike!

  • @throughpaint
    @throughpaint 3 місяці тому +3

    It's all in the magic of putting us somewhere we could never imagine being.

  • @jongiuliani1
    @jongiuliani1 29 днів тому +1

    pssshhh dude great vid - im a former air traffic controller and im now an aircraft dispatcher in my second career. Do more aviation stuff man! You'd be amazed at the generosity of 'celeb aviators' and they're very accessible for the most part man

  • @TheBenghaziRabbit
    @TheBenghaziRabbit 3 місяці тому +2

    Holy cow up to 800k subs!
    Congrats Mike and Team!
    Hope you guys are doing well. If you ever venture through the mountains of North Carolina, lunch is on us!

  • @JoeR203
    @JoeR203 3 місяці тому +1

    Growing up in Port Chester, NY in the 70s, we always saw the Goodyear blimp with the lights on the side spelling out a message.

  • @Oodaloopshooter
    @Oodaloopshooter 3 місяці тому +1

    That’s awesome! I watched the blimp take off from Beverly while I waited to taxi by one morning, what an incredible sight!

  • @jongeissler8532
    @jongeissler8532 3 місяці тому +2

    I used to drive from Boston to NYC and thought that view was amazing but I believe you’ve found the best way to take that trip. Thanks again, Mike, for reminding us all how amazing and beautiful our world is!

  • @tdchayes
    @tdchayes 3 місяці тому +1

    Airship Ventures used to offer sightseeing tours in the San Francisco/San Jose area. One of the best things ever! As a private pilot it wasn't really new views for me, but a whole different way to travel.

  • @PaulCashman
    @PaulCashman 3 місяці тому +2

    What an awesome ride!
    Now I'm curious as to how the cabin itself -- flight controls, radios, etc. -- gets its power.

  • @SebastianBailey9
    @SebastianBailey9 2 місяці тому

    Wow, what a crew!! I’m sure they made time fly by! Probably one of my favorite videos now. Thank you for taking us along with you!

    • @DownieLive
      @DownieLive  2 місяці тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @bobcat2960
    @bobcat2960 3 місяці тому +1

    That was awesome, Downie, very fun to watch - Thanks to you and to Skyship Services - Dick's Sports for sharing with us! Enjoyed the ride and sites. Shhh.

  • @ByddinRhyddidCymru
    @ByddinRhyddidCymru 3 місяці тому

    Bring back the blimp! It will always remain the superior form of transport, pure style, I love it

  • @998136999
    @998136999 3 місяці тому

    That view at 21:15. Wow, just wow. Thanks for sharing this experience!

  • @Commonsenseisnotcommon8
    @Commonsenseisnotcommon8 3 місяці тому +1

    I didn’t know riding in a blimp would be so cool and so much fun. I absolutely hate flying actually taking a transatlantic next year to go to Europe, but I would love to ride on a blimp. This looks fun.

  • @lovelight1
    @lovelight1 3 місяці тому +1

    So COOL, WOW the Manhatten skyline is awsome from the Blimp. Thank you XXX

  • @MikeMcKanna
    @MikeMcKanna 3 місяці тому

    So cool to see these views over my old stomping grounds! I miss coastal RI every summer. Be sure to get back to Newport and see the mansions and the cliff walk!

  • @Chronograph71
    @Chronograph71 3 місяці тому

    Thank you! That must have been a lot of fun! Your choice of music was particularly good today.

  • @dadbod80s
    @dadbod80s 3 місяці тому

    This must of been the coolest experience. Always wanted to fly in a blimp. You can tell by your smile that you had a blast!

  • @tsbrownie
    @tsbrownie 3 місяці тому +1

    My grandfather started flying blimps just before WWI. He did coastal patrols during the war carrying bombs. I think he ended his flying career in 1918.

  • @reedberry
    @reedberry 3 місяці тому

    I've always wanted to take a blimp ride but have never had the opportunity, so I'll live vicariously through you. Good job, sir!

  • @blimpcommander1337
    @blimpcommander1337 3 місяці тому

    Great video and good to see the guys working. Also great to see Florian as our paths never crossed while working for the same company.

  • @ziwilliams79
    @ziwilliams79 3 місяці тому +2

    Dude!!! This is one of the coolest videos on UA-cam! Keep up the great work!

  • @vincentcalvelli6452
    @vincentcalvelli6452 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for taking us along with you on this great adventure.

  • @ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958
    @ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958 3 місяці тому

    This was so cool, thanks for recording it for those of us who will never get to do it in person. The pilots were cool too.

  • @susanB24F
    @susanB24F 3 місяці тому

    Another great adventure! Thanks for taking us along. Beautiful way to see that scenery

  • @maryloufarnsworth8461
    @maryloufarnsworth8461 3 місяці тому

    My aunt and uncle got to ride in the Goodyear blimp many years ago. Thanks for giving me an idea of what they experienced. They loved it, by the way.

  • @ErrY2k
    @ErrY2k 3 місяці тому

    Dude I was ubering all over Boston that day. Everywhere I went I saw that blimp flying. It’s really cool that you recorded this video for all of us to see 😊

  • @drkalamity4518
    @drkalamity4518 22 дні тому

    As a New Yorker who has spent my whole life seeing the city from different perspectives, I gotta say this is one of the most unique!

  • @joshuaconti989
    @joshuaconti989 13 днів тому

    ive been to fenway many times and boston a million but first time I've seen it from a blimp. absolutely loved this trip!

  • @citibear57
    @citibear57 3 місяці тому

    Wow, what a fantastic flight! Thanks for taking us along, Mike 👍

  • @DarleenRobbins
    @DarleenRobbins 3 місяці тому

    It was awesome to ride in the blimp! Thanks for filming the video.

  • @Crazyguy_123MC
    @Crazyguy_123MC 3 місяці тому +4

    The airships used 100 years ago were a bit different but I believe operated basically the same. The ones 100 years ago had metal framing with passenger space in the round section. They were also larger. They had a lounge, bathroom, and bedrooms for passengers. They floated with hydrogen. That all came to an end with the Hindenburg disaster when the hydrogen ignited catching the Zeppelin on fire. In a matter of seconds the entire Zeppelin was engulfed in flames. The difference from a blimp and a Zeppelin is the build. A Zeppelin is ridged with a metal frame and is floated with hydrogen. A blimp doesn't have a metal frame and is floated with helium. Because a blimp is lighter they can use helium. A Zeppelin due to the weight could not use helium. They are very neat things and its a shame Zeppelin style airships no longer exist in a safe usable way. If we could bring them back in a way they can be safely operated it would reopen the doors to incredible travels for the general public. Fun fact the spire on the Empire State Building was meant to be a place for airships to dock. It was rarely used and was more of a gimmick to say an airship could land on the spire.

  • @maureen14
    @maureen14 3 місяці тому +1

    Mike you must go to Fenway Park! Take one of their tours and book a "Monstah" seat! ⚾

  • @billelliott7531
    @billelliott7531 3 місяці тому

    What a great time for a youngster. Keep it up, Mike.

  • @kikyochan66
    @kikyochan66 3 місяці тому +1

    This is the coolest mode of transportation!

  • @HeroAntagonist
    @HeroAntagonist 3 місяці тому

    I think that's been my favourite journey so far. It looked so relaxing

  • @rikspector
    @rikspector 3 місяці тому

    Mike,
    I grew up in Jackson Township, N.J.,
    Not far from Lakehurst Naval Air Station which
    was the heart of blimps that patrolled the Atlantic Coast during and after WW2
    I saw blimps over our farm in the late forties and visited L.N.A.S. a
    number of times.
    That was the same place where the Hindenburg, exploded.
    This brings back memories of early years.
    I even knew Moody Erwin, a survivor of the Akron disaster
    Thank You,
    Frederick "Rik" Spector

  • @christinechadsey6414
    @christinechadsey6414 3 місяці тому +1

    Pretty cool. I live in CT and would have loved to see the blimp.

  • @FerociousPancake888
    @FerociousPancake888 2 місяці тому

    This is such a cool and obscure experience. I’m sure you jumped at the opportunity! I sure would have

  • @lisaanderson8235
    @lisaanderson8235 3 місяці тому

    What a fun video! I don't think I've ever seen footage from a blimp flight like this. And the captains and crew were so knowledgeable!
    As someone who grew up in New England, the Boston/ Rhode Island scenery was especially lovely for me. 👍

  • @Diane-cv7jb
    @Diane-cv7jb 3 місяці тому

    Wow! That was very interesting. Thank you for taking us along!

  • @netposerx
    @netposerx 3 місяці тому

    Couldn't help but notice the fun swell along those beaches. I did see a few surfers out there catching waves too.

  • @vidmikevid
    @vidmikevid 3 місяці тому

    Looks like a great time! The for having us along

  • @baronetessdawson
    @baronetessdawson 3 місяці тому

    I actually had no idea Rhode Island was such a truly remarkable area....thank you. Love The Zeppelin Adventure. Brave Hearts!

    • @annlyon.2040
      @annlyon.2040 3 місяці тому +1

      The Zeppelin had ball rooms , restaurants, bathrooms etc ! The only people on the bottom were the pilots

  • @TylerMWeather9102
    @TylerMWeather9102 3 місяці тому

    This guy asks great questions, exactly same things I’ve been wondering almost. Lots of people aren’t good at asking good questions for vids like this

  • @vincenzo422
    @vincenzo422 3 місяці тому

    It's pretty cool to see my hometown from above like this. Keep doing what you do, Downie

  • @Dave_In_Boston
    @Dave_In_Boston 3 місяці тому +1

    You flew right by my house. Nice to see something different fly over.

  • @susanB24F
    @susanB24F 3 місяці тому

    Great ride you took us in! We loved it. Thanks

  • @helenramsdell1959
    @helenramsdell1959 3 місяці тому

    I absolutely loved this!!! I live in Massachusetts and loved seeing it from the sky. I grew up 15 mins walking to Harvard Square. I worked in the John Hancock tower ( all glass skinny building). Providence is like a 2nd cousin to me. We brought our kids all the time to their Children's museum. I have to say again how cool this was watching!!

  • @koradalager
    @koradalager 3 місяці тому

    We did a blimp flight in San Francisco one year, the cabin was much larger, the flight spectacular and unforgettable! Thanks for this fun journey

  • @judit1783
    @judit1783 Місяць тому

    What a trip. I cannot believe I missed this video. Too much fun.

  • @tvberkel
    @tvberkel 3 місяці тому

    Mike, you've hit it out of the "pahk" again with this one. What a cool experience, thanks for taking us along with you. Immensely cool.

  • @helenemalenfant5435
    @helenemalenfant5435 2 місяці тому

    This was cool. Going to get my husband and dad to watch this, both love aviation and are going to enjoy it so much.

  • @barbaralienhard3490
    @barbaralienhard3490 3 місяці тому

    Mike, that was amazing!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

  • @nickmorgan1690
    @nickmorgan1690 3 місяці тому +1

    His puns are so uplifting

  • @adamlyman8293
    @adamlyman8293 3 місяці тому

    Very cool. I never knew how blimps performed take-offs and landings. !!!

  • @BillHanson-wu4nh
    @BillHanson-wu4nh 3 місяці тому +2

    Mike, I have seen a lot of your videos from the New Orleans to San Antonio. But this tops them all. Wonder where you landed in NY? Staten Island?

  • @jtocwru
    @jtocwru 3 місяці тому

    This blimp was orbiting the Strawberry Festival in my little upstate NY town of Owego back in June. It was an incredibly windy day, and these guys were definitely getting the snot beat out of them. The pitching up and down was INSANE. It had to have felt like an actual rollercoaster. Would have loved to see video from inside the cabin that day! I'm a private pilot, and I've flown Cessnas and Pipers in bumpy weather, but it seems like a blimp would be far more relaxing in turbulence. No worrying about overstressing the airframe and having a wing snap off!

  • @brendaleelynch2339
    @brendaleelynch2339 3 місяці тому

    A @DownieLive tutorial of air travel via blimp Boston to NYC. Well done, congratulations to you and the blimp crew!

  • @sethtriggs
    @sethtriggs 3 місяці тому

    This exemplifies "Bucket list." And this is amazing to see what's involved in flying these craft!
    I may well have seen this blimp once over my town. Well definitely I will try waving if they're ever low like this.
    Great video and thanks!

    • @davidroddini1512
      @davidroddini1512 3 місяці тому

      By bucket list, does that mean a list of things where you’d better take a bucket with you when you do it?😅

  • @greatequator414
    @greatequator414 3 місяці тому +1

    Saw you from the ground the other day! I had no idea DownieLive was on it!

  • @karlaleach790
    @karlaleach790 Місяць тому

    This was fabulous. Thank you so much.

  • @OyeVato
    @OyeVato 3 місяці тому

    The crew of this airship seem super chill

  • @glennkennedy441
    @glennkennedy441 3 місяці тому

    Absolutely amazing !!! You know how to knock it out of the park !

  • @Tcostello105
    @Tcostello105 3 місяці тому

    Hey thats Norwood Airport! Never seen a Blimp there in the past. What a cool trip!

  • @robertklinker3237
    @robertklinker3237 3 місяці тому +2

    Dine here: must have toilet---big bucket/diaper pail even with heavy duty plastic bag lining + toilet seat atop OR compost type toilet--DEFINITE MUSTS

  • @gittes98
    @gittes98 3 місяці тому

    One of your all-time best vids Mike. The pilots are great and the clarity is amazing. What an experience" Best line: You're a Canadian asking an Englishman/

  • @luisdomingues4341
    @luisdomingues4341 3 місяці тому +1

    I’m just wondering when he will come back to Vancouver. He should talk about the broadway subway project ,but his videos are always amazing

  • @Peter12029
    @Peter12029 3 місяці тому

    13:00 NICE ART This seems like so much fun good on you for having that experience I'm afraid of heights 😢❤

  • @melissatemple8052
    @melissatemple8052 3 місяці тому +1

    What a cool adventure! Thank you for sharing!

  • @masonresnick5105
    @masonresnick5105 3 місяці тому

    This brings me back to the early 90s when I was fortunate enough to ride over Manhattan on the Fuji Blimp. I was an editor for a photo magazine and this was for a special event for the photographic press so we were all writers and editors of photo publications. It was one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had. The cabin was somewhat larger than this one--we had a dozen people on board, and everyone had a chance to sit in the co-captain's seat and sail the airship for a few minutes. The Fuji blimp had adjustable Rolls Royce propellers, so we took off more or less vertically. I agree about waving--when we sailed past the Statue of Liberty, we were waving at the people in her crown, and they were waving back and that was such a thrill. The whole day, from the time we lifted off from Linden Airport, sailed through NY Harbor, up the East River, hung a left over Central Park, then back down the Hudson River, was pure joy (except for a few minutes of panic when it was my turn to sail the thing).
    It was also such a unique experience. It's too bad it isn't available to most people.
    One thing I learned is that because a blimp is an air *ship*, the terms the Fuji crew used were all nautical: Instead of a pilot flying, a captain sails a blimp. So really, you were SAILING a blimp!