Lighter-Than-Air Airship (Homemade) (FAA, blimp)

[I'm The Supporter]

I've been making plans for building my own blimp. I need it up and running by this summer. Anyone know what the exact certification/licensing and all of that I will need are? It will be simple and a small version of the dirigible. My plans have come out to making it 1/6 the size of a full size dirigible. Any thoughts, links, and help for me? Oh, and I want to be able to travel the world with it.

[ferretkona]

Most have a small cabin, at 1/6 scale you may not have enough room to move or even enough lift.

[Icy Tea]

I'd check with the FAA. You could probably have a framed clear vinyl gondola with a fixed seat and controls with the propulsion equipment outside. Pack a parachute and just don't let your kid fly off in it.

[I'm The Supporter]

I just called the FAA today and they gave me a phone number to call. They were no help. But I'm sitting here planning it out. I want it to be made of wood. But I want to start construction soon.

[Icy Tea]

Wait until the NY Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then steal one of their helium ballon characters. Go for a big one like Bullwinkle.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Icy Tea

I'd check with the FAA. You could probably have a framed clear vinyl gondola with a fixed seat and controls with the propulsion equipment outside. Pack a parachute and just don't let your kid fly off in it.

If you do let your kid fly off in it, make sure he's actually in it before you start a multi-million dollar recovery effort and get your face all over the national news.

The concern about lift in a 1/6 model is valid. Lifting gases work better at larger scales. The volume of the gas contained in the lifting body increases disproportionately to the overall mass of the dirigible as the scale increases, so the bigger it is the better it will work with a live load.

[I'm The Supporter]

One, I am just myself. No kids of my own nor a wife or girlfriend (even though I would love to have a family of my own). Two, I am about a month off from my 21st birthday. Three, I don't care if this is a pipe dream. I'm going to pursue this with every fiber of my being. I hate the factory I work at and I never want to look at another factory again. Four, I have to have the requirements from the FAA to make it certified. I also have to be certified in order to fly it otherwise I'm just going to be escorted to the ground every time I get to the proper height. Personally, I don't care who I **** off with this idea. The fact is is that I want to get out of the area I live in, travel the world, and fly. I want to wander. It's what I do. So are there any REAL thoughts or advice that I can receive on how I should go about this or who I should contact for construction thoughts?

[catman]

It sounds fascinating but likely impracticable. I wouldn't mind having a 'flying platform', though.

[GregW]

Check with a local airport or just Google the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) for connections to a large group if aviation enthusiasts. The main office (or the website) will direct you to a Local Chapter.

The physics of lighter than air flight are pretty simple (remember the guy with the 42 weather balloons) but the power and control systems are not so easy. I suggest buy and reading about the basic physics and engineering of these vehicles. Also take a couple of Hot Air balloon rides to become familiar with the sensations of LTA flight.

[catman]

Aw, c'mon, let the guy have his dream, whether he can actually do it or not. He'll find out if he studies on it enough and talks to the right people (not the Wright people). Do you know him well enough to know about the dragons, vampires, etc.?