Engineering news
The world’s largest hybrid aircraft is almost cleared to fly after receiving authorisation from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The Airlander 10, from manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles, has obtained a Flight Conditions approval certificate from the EASA and a Permit to Fly from the CAA and will be set for lift-off pending the completion of ground testing procedures.
"This clearly demonstrates the regulators' confidence in Airlander, and the development team's ability to safely flight test the aircraft,” said Carl Thomas, Airlander’s airworthiness and certification officer.
The airship, which will be used for surveillance, communication, load transportation and tourism purposes, can fly uninterrupted for up to five days. It has been designed to take off and land within a short distance in different environments such as on ice, water and on sand.
The vessel combines helicopter and airplane wing mechanics with aerostatic technology, which involves using a lifting gas for buoyancy. According to the manufacturer the Airlander 10 is cheaper to operate and has a lower carbon footprint compared to other aircrafts.
As part of preparations for the inaugural flight, the Duke of Kent will name the aircraft at a naming event on Tuesday 12 April.
Hybrid Air also announced it had raised £1 million on its Crowdcube.com crowfunding campaign, with more than 1,200 investors contributing to the project. It expects to reach the £1.25 million before the campaign ends at 23:59 on Friday 15 April.
Financial director, Hwfa Gwyn said, "The response from the investing community is amazing, and it’s great that the Great British public is backing this Great British engineering innovation. We are delighted to have broken through the magic million mark. If anyone would like to take a stake in the Airlander, we urge you to visit crowdcube.com as soon as possible."