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The world's longest aircraft, dubbed 'The Flying Bum' is set to go into full production to take its first passengers to the skies after successful final tests.
It comes after the Airlander 10 prototype was retired after it collapsed and plummeted into a field.
Also at BBC:
The world's longest aircraft is to go into full production with a model that will take its first paying passengers.
It comes after the prototype £32m Airlander 10 - a combined plane and airship - was formally retired following successful final testing.
As a result, Bedford firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has been given Production Organisation Approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
[...] The firm was given Design Organisation Approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) in October.
Stephen McGlennan, HAV's chief executive, said 2018 had been very good, with Easa's backing a "huge highlight".
(Score: 2) by theluggage on Tuesday January 15 2019, @02:19PM
It broke away from its mooring mast while not in use, triggering an emergency deflation mechanism (BBC [bbc.co.uk]). I'm not going to argue the toss as to whether or not that counts as "crashing" but its not like it fell out of the sky during a flight.
Presumably, it will be more fuel-efficient and hence cheaper for short hops, get you closer to your destination because it doesn't need a 2 mile runway, and potentially more spacious and comfortable for long-haul flights (sadly, commercial pressure probably means that they'll still pack 'em in like sardines).
...and if the passenger compartment on a regular aircraft leaks at altitude you'll either suffocate from lack of oxygen or get poisoned by jet exhaust. Not leaking is definitely something to look for in any aircraft. At least helium tends to head straight up when it does leak, and the passenger compartment is usually towards the bottom, and if it does get in, the way that everybody suddenly starts talking like a cartoon chipmunk is a good cue to reach for the oxygen mask...
Plus, lots of people happily travel on things called boats which literally float in dihydrogen monoxide - well established as one of the most lethal substances known to man (just google it). For that matter, oxygen is pretty nasty stuff, too. Hell, anything is dangerous if too much of it turns up in the wrong place.