Saturday, April 3, 2010

"spirit of america"

  
Closed to the public, the Goodyear blimp only offers rides to corporate guests of the company, members of the press and celebrities. Boo! It's everyday use is for advertising Goodyear's products and special service announcements.

Goodyear airships were originally built in 1911. Coined "yachts of the sky",  today there are only 3 blimps operating in America: the "Spirit of America" (above) located in Carson, CA, "Spirit of Goodyear" in Ohio and "Spirit of Innovation" in Florida. The blimps are 192 feet long, 59.5 feet tall and 50 feet wide. They can go as fast as 53 mph, but cruising speed is 35 mph and can travel travel 24 hrs or 900 miles w/o re-fueling for helium.

Trivia:The most famous blimp shot is in the movie "Scarface". Tony Montana sees the blimp with the words "The World Is Yours..."

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