Airship Adventures “like a Blimp but bigger” available for public rides out of Long Beach (1/10)

     The expression “eureka!” is commonly used to describe a moment of exciting discovery.  Well, the people of Los Angeles are about to discover the largest airship in the skies today…the 246’ Zeppelin, Eureka.

     Now, for the very first time, passengers can soar over L.A like a cloud in a soft breeze and see how beautiful the city is from above.  Airship Ventures, which has currently been operating out of San Francisco and the Monterey Coast for the past few years have now expanded operations in the LA area. The massive helium filled aircraft departs on tours from an airfield on the northern side of the Long Beach Airport.  Typical tours are a half hour, hour or two hours, but it can be rented out for longer rides.

     The Zeppelin, Eureka, drastically differs from a blimp because of its rigid inner structure of aluminum and carbon-fiber.  Because of this, the engines can be mounted on the structure away from the gondola that carries the passengers.  A blimps engine is mounted on the gondola because that is the only thing solid enough to hold that kind of weight.  This is a huge luxury because the ride in the Zeppelin, Eureka, is very quiet. 

Take off is as smooth as silk. What a sensation it is to float straight up as if you are suddenly transformed into Superman.  It’s like releasing a lightly inflated helium balloon on a perfectly still day minus any of the wobbling.  It was surprising how smooth and quiet the ride was, which made for a very relaxing adventure.  See what a bird sees for the very first time as you look down on the Queen Mary from above or the Hollywood Sign , Griffith Observatory or the waves crashing on the beach.  Floating around 1000’ in the air was low enough to smell the salt of the oceans mist.  We flew over the Queen Mary and Long Beach Aquarium (both pictured below)

     Once in the air, you can walk around the gondola and look out in any direction…even strait down!  You can actually stick your head out the window and look straight down as your hair blows in the wind.  Can you get any closer to flying like a bird than that?  It’s also within the complete safety of the gondola.  There is absolutely no safer way to fly.  Founder Brian Hall was on our flight and he was very friendly and informative.  This creation had been in the works but finally went public in 2008.  There are two main pilots and a third named Fritz (pictured below on the left) who was on loan for our flight and got us very close for a nice photo of the Good Year Blimp.  There is always a flight attendant on board as well.  Extensive specialty training goes into this type of airship as it is most similar to a helicopter but quieter and more relaxing.  The cost of just the airship is in the range of $15 million not counting maintenance, crew, storage and other servicing fees including $5 million insurance per person on every flight.. 

     If you are thinking about proposing, setting up an incredible romantic date or just have an adventurous curiosity,  Airship Ventures is the perfect option.  What does the sunset look like as you float effortlessly amongst the clouds?  Now you can find out.

     For more information on Airship Ventures and the schedule of upcoming flights out of Los Angeles please visit the link below:  The option rides are 30 minutes, one hour or 2 hours. The thirty minute and one hour rides stay close and near the Long Beach area while the two hour rides can go down towards Orange County or to Hollywood and back.  They are in the works of creating a Catalina ride.  The Airship can be chartered as well.  Food and drinks can be brought on your flight and there is a bathroom on board as well.

 

www.airshipventures.com  and  www.airshipventures.com/calender.php