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How about a romantic and exciting flight on an airship.... the Zeppelin Eureka.
If you like flying antique aircraft... or antique TYPE aircraft... consider this.
We chose to celebrate a wedding anniversary with friends and family flying on this great airship.
You would think a dirigible, a Zeppelin, should fall into the antique aircraft category... unless you're talking about the Zeppelin Eureka operated by Airship Ventures in California.
This is a Zeppelin NT -- for New technology.... state-of-the-art avionics. As of this writing there are only three flying in the world... one in Germany, one in Japan, and one in California.
The Zeppelin Eureka is the largest airship flying today. Want a few figures? It's 246 feet long, 54 feet wide at its widest point and 57 feet high. That's actually small by historic airship standards, but they like to point out that it IS 15 feet longer than a Boeing 747.
So what's it like?
After going through a flight briefing and security procedures (this is a commercial flight after all), you will be taken to the airfield in a van. It's exciting to see that big airship floating toward you.... and believe me, it LOOKS big when you're standing right under it!
We all got a kick out of the crew chief holding the windsock, then dropping it at the last minute and grabbing the tethering rope.... one guy.... holding that big airship! That's what the NT is all about!
The Zeppelin Eureka holds 12 passengers, a pilot and one flight attendant. There is a specific, and very quick, procedure for passenger exchange.
Once we're onboard, we received our onboard safety briefing...
All seats are window seats... and aisle seats.... and they all have big windows.
...Take off is easy and instant....
Up Ship!
Airships do not need runways... You're up and away in no time. They warn you to stay alert so you won't miss the lift off.
It was fun flying out of their home base at Moffett Field, California. Moffett Field had dirigibles based there during the first part of the 20th century and there are still three historic airship hangars on the field.... one of which is where the Zeppelin Eureka is hangared.
You are allowed to get up and wander around after about two minutes.
The cockpit looks like... well, like a cockpit, but there are some differences. Once we were away and things settled down, the pilot was happy to explain things to the pilots in our group.
There are panoramic views front and back... and lots of windows on the sides. You're flying low and slow, so there are plenty of opportunities to take pictures.... and you only have to sit down and buckle up as you're coming in to land.
Even the shortest ride gives you a great experience. At the briefing before our flight, they explained that the crews for the large historic Zeppelins would release the ship for take off with, "UP SHIP!" When we returned from our flight, we had champagne to celebrate our anniversary... and Up Ship was definitely our toast!
The Zeppelin Eureka is based in Moffett Field, California. That's in Mountain View, south of San Francisco and just north of San Jose. The airship takes passengers from Moffett, but they also fly from other cities around California. Check their website for all the details... Airship Ventures.
If you have a special occasion to celebrate, or if you just want to experience this nostalgic way of flying... check it out!
Find 'em, See 'em, Fly,'em! And have a great flight!
And, Oh yea.... Up Ship!
Judy and Mark
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