Thursday, April 30, 2009

New Lapel Pins

Our new pins have arrived!

Thanks to Siegel-Inocencio for the design, and Nico at Lapel Pin Planet for the manufacture.

We're working on adding items such as shirts, posters, cards, models and pins like this to our (not quite open yet) gift shop.

We'll post here at the blog and via our newsletter when the shop opens.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Timelapse of decal removal


Chief Engineer, Matthew K, and our IT Manager, Brian K, decided to record the removal of our 'Fly With Me' decal as a timelapse. The result is a really cool snapshot of how large the airship is and how large the decals are compared to the people. We'll also record the new one going on!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

One word down..

The team managed to get the airship in the hangar today just as the wind got really strong - and fortunately after our passenger flights were done. We've been adjusting our schedules to match the weather patterns and are getting quite adept at making the most of any flyable conditions! Anyway, this was good news as we had cherry pickers standing by to help the team start removing the branding that is currently on the airship. What will replace it? Watch this space... (or should that be, "watch the skies"..)

When does a truck need another truck?




Glenn Adams sent us these webcam snaps of our mast truck being loaded for transport.

Just as the German trucks were not automatically allowed on US roads when we first brought them in (they are fine now), our US spec truck has the reverse issue in Germany!

The German trucks are not quite as long, and have a better turning circle -- crucial for navigating traffic circles (kreisverkehr) and other tight spots on European roads, among other things. Our truck is longer, with a mid-mounted drop-axle, to better distribute weight -- a requirement for operating on highways here in the US.

Second ship?

I've been waiting for this shot of 'Eureka' lined up with our model Zeppelin for a while! It was taken during a photoshoot we were doing on the Zeppelin yesterday to create some 360 degree views of the interior and exterior for the website. Thanks Angela!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Red Letter Day.

Two years ago, on April 19 2007, Airship Ventures was incorporated. Not something we reported on the blog then, it was merely an administrative task completed. But yesterday it took on a special significance. Brian and I decided to join the airship for its flight to Monterey and back and we were very lucky to be with our 'transit' passengers - mom, dad, son and grandson on a day outing for dad's birthday. It was a gorgeous day after the fog cleared, with a temperature inversion which gave us cool ground conditions and air at 1500ft as warm as a hand dryer. The fog was teasing the coastline all day, creating a spectacular glory around the shadow of the airship.

For both of us, this flight was proof positive of how amazing the Zeppelin experience is. We felt honored to be able to peep as three generations sat on the rear window seat and discussed the world around them - the nursery gardens in Salinas, the IBM Almaden Research plant, the Lick Observatory on the top of the hills, the oil derrick pumping the shales, the waves breaking in the Monterey bay, the traffic on the road..... Their enthusiasm and joy was totally infectious and my face ached with smiling as I contemplated how the last two years of hard work had now enabled such treasured memories.

Flying to Monterey by airship, spending the day at the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and then traveling back in leisurely style at the end of the day has to be one of the most awesome opportunities we offer. The birthday boy said "Don't wait until you are 71 to do this. It's one of the best days of my life."

We're glad to have been able to share in it.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Back Home

Placing the shadow on hangar 2

Refueling at Marina

Refueling at Marina on the way home to Moffett Field

Over Cannery Row

Beautiful day here in Monterey!

Morning freeloader

We have an extra passenger this morning. We're on our way to a day of
coastal flights out of Monterey.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Dog is our Co-Pilot

We were having fun decorating the Zeppelin statue in front of HQ for a guest the following day.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Scania and International Face Off



Glenn Adams sent us these webcam grabs from Germany of our new mast truck (white) nose to nose with the Scania mast truck (blue).

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Looking in.

The ship kiting in the wind makes getting the shots a challenge

NASAs visitor lounge taken over

What clothes look good with an airship?

Shoes?

Eureka is the setting for a fashion shoot today.