SoylentNews

MostCynical [soylentnews.org] writes:

Airlander 10, the large, helium-filled plane/balloon/bum-shaped flying thing still hasn't left the ground since Hybrid Air Vehicles of the UK (HAV) bought it back from the US Military and reassembled it.

The cost of development was $USD 297 million when it was canned.
HAV paid $301,000 for it (minus military hardware, software, and the helium)

The original version flew once, for 90 minutes, in August 2012.

The makers are still claiming 90mph (148kph) maximum speed and up to five days aloft.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3740746/Grounded-Maiden-flight-world-s-largest-aircraft-nicknamed-flying-bum-postponed-minute-technical-issues.html [dailymail.co.uk]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-37086999 [bbc.com]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Air_Vehicles_HAV_304_Airlander_10 [wikipedia.org]

I still want a ride on it, if it ever flies.

Original Submission