SeaWorld

Waterfront Orchard

Over Lake Griffin

And passing Leesburg while headed towards Lake Apopka.

If lucky we may then finally make a pass over SeaWorld on the way to the airport!

Grids of Land

Bye Perry

Off Mast 11:54am

Schlaff Gut

Putting her to bed for the night.

Landing Spotlight

About ready to land, Perry Florida

Sunset

Fractals

River

Panama City Looking Back

Panama City

Ground Team Reaches Florida

Rest Stop

Even airship crews need a pit stop now and then.

(Photo via Brian M. On convoy)

Dual controls

Just checked the zeppelin cam and spotted that our PIC Ben was taking a break (note the joystick) which presumably means that Kate is driving from the right seat....

Engineering reaches Florida

Matthew just sent this picture, they're all making good time today.

Mississippi

Reminder seen by the road convoy.

Art in Nature

Old Amusement Park

Headed along the coast, an old amusement park (click image for larger version)

Perry Bound

Off mast 10:54am, headed for Perry Florida as the intermediate stop on the way to Orlando.

Zeppelin Over New Orleans Jazz Fest 2011

Street Art in New Orleans

Out and about with Ganji and Matt and we found a cool street vendor and liked her artwork. Just as we were about to spend our $20 ... Matt asked if the artist could paint a Zeppelin on the painting ... And after a bit of discussion ... she said yes.

So Matt drew an outline of the Zeppelin, the artist added it in, and then we did some final decorations ourselves before taking home our masterpiece!

(Story and photos courtesy Joanne)

Matt does a sketch of the airship for the artist to work from

The scene takes shape

Matt and Ganji do some final touch-ups

Matt posing with the artist

Camera Work Completed

Camera work completed.
Ship on mast.
Challenges overcome.
Job well done.

Mr. Finney and the Crescent City

WGNO

Christian and John of WGNO interviewing Dave. Look for us around 5:30 or 6 tonight on the local ABC channel.

Jazz Festival at Fair Grounds

Superdome Shadow

Superdome

Downtown New Orleans

First Passenger Flight of Tour

Beautiful morning here at Lakefront airport for our first passenger flight of the tour, and the first in New Orleans as well.

New Orleans

After a journey spanning several weeks, a few thousand miles, and an extended stay in Lake Charles waiting for storms to pass, we arrived this morning and are flying over New Orleans today.

We'll be doing camera work and flying in support of the Zurich Golf Classic each day, and offering passenger flights as well.

This is our first passenger stop on the Covering Communities Tour, and we're looking forward to the sights and sounds of New Orleans at 1000 feet and up.

Sights? New Orleans has a wonderful mix of the old and the new, the city and the bayou.

Sounds? No promises, but we happen to be here during New Orleans Jazz Fest.

To book a flight, just speak with our reservations agents at 650-969-8100, or visit us online.

Look for us over the city, and above the golf during these coming days.

Rollin,' rollin', rollin'

After a very rapid night transit with good tailwinds, the airship is safe on the mast in Fort Stockton, TX and the team are getting some zzzz's. Next stop San Antonio!

Tucson

Our first overnight of the tour outside California - Tucson, Arizona. Our first passenger operations will be in New Orleans ahead of the Zurich Classic PGA Tour golf event.

(Photo courtesy Matthew K)

Safe on mast at KAVQ

Marana airfield near Tucson.

Passing Hollywood

About an hour to go before landing.

Santa Barbara oil field

Dolphins!

Just south of Monterey.

Good morning Santa Cruz

Wheels up!

See you in San Bernardino

Doctor Helium

The folks from Advanced Purification System, aka "Doctor Helium" are here for a visit. Normally we use our own equipment at Moffett Field. During our coast to coast tour, we will be using the services of Dr. Helium.

Urban Airship Treat

Our friends over at Urban Airship have a nifty April Fools Treat...

Check Flight

Kate during the check flight. All in the green and to the flight plan.

(Post and photo courtesy Matthew K)

Up Ship!

First flight post-annual!

(photo courtesy Jeremy B)

Into the Sun

Back outside, after a month-long, on-time, and successful annual maintenance and inspection.

Kudus to the crew!

Eureka has a few days of test flights ahead of her, then a very busy 4-day run of sold-out tours from Moffett Field and Oakland before we head off on the six month coast to coast tour.

(Photo courtesy Matthew K)

Hanger Test Runs

Shall I give her more power captain? Ben doing the hangar leak runs, all ops normal.

(Photo/post courtesy Matthew K)

Topping Up

A top up for Eureka, the helium regulator and hose at the ready with a six pack of 291 cubic feet He bottles.

(Photo/post courtesy Matthew K)

East Doors Open

Today we opened the east doors and did the test runs. East doors had been out of service for months so this is good news for the crew.

(Post/photo courtesy Matthew K)