Comments by HugoEckner

Hi folks,
I agree with the need to preserve the Helium reserve as the US only has a few natural Helium sources, but there is no way that Helium will run out until after both oil and natural gas have run out, which is a very, very long time. Helium is a natural byproduct of the liquifaction of natural gas and there are serious reserves in Qatar, Russia, Algeria and Poland. There are also big reserves in some of the new Australian gas fields that have yet to be developed.
If you want to read more about Helium see:http://www.hybridblimp.net/helium.html
Regards JB
PS. There is a need for Helium recycling as NASA in particular wastes a lot of Helium. The specialist welders should switch to Argon.

Hi folks,
It looks like a UFO to me. If you like airships or UFO's and are in the mood for a Helium sniffing laugh during this festive season then try Gasbags, see: www.hybridblimp.net for the worlds only lighter than air comedy web site.
Regards JB ( www.hybridairship.net & www.blimpingaround.com )

Hi again,
One odd thing I forgot to mention was that the worlds leading airship design team that was and is responsible for the best of the modern airship and HAV designs was led by the late Roger Munk. He started off as an offshore power boat designer and was a highly trained and skilled marine and aerodynamics expert, before moving to design the first modern vectored thrust Skyship blimp. The first big hybrid and big blimp under construction in the US for the US Army and US Air Force that will both make first flights next summer are both Roger Munks basic designs. They are scheduled to deploy to the mid East at the end of next year. (The HAV 304 & MAV 6 blimp)
Regards JB
(Gasbags comedy www.hybridblimp.net from Airship & Blimp Consultant)

Hi folks,
Very interesting article, as I thought adding sails would be the best way to cut fuel consumption, but now it appears blowing bubbles will work better unless the trip follows the trade winds.
There will be much bigger fuel savings if some of the air freight can switch to using one of the new hybrid air vehicles that is under construction for the US military, like the Skycat.
Regards JB ( www.hybridairship.net )

Hi folks,
Great article, but I would not hold your breath waiting for a vacuum filled carbon fiber tubes airship any time soon. Possible in theory but rather tricky in practice.
The HAV 304 for the military will be followed by a Cargo version of Skycat for civil operators, designed and constructed by HAV (www.hybridairvehicles.com) in Cardington England.
If you want to see more on modern airships, past, present and future see: www.airshipblimp.com or if you just want a helium sniffing laugh try www.airship.me the worlds only lighter than air comedy site, with lots of funny pictures and U tube links fit for all the family.
Regards Bond, James Bond.
(Skyship blimp pilot in a View to a Kill)

Hi folks,
Interesting article, but there are no companies anywhere near to being able to deploy a high altitude airship (HAA) of any type. Most just have flying models or balloons on a string designed more to attract investors than to do anything useful. If you want to develop a new airship the best way forward is to start with a modern blimp like the Skyship 600 or Sentinel 1000, that has already been proven useful and then improve the design or build a bigger version, rather than some new attempt to reinvent the wheel. If you want to see more on airships see www.airshipblimp.com or my helium sniffing comedy site www.airship.me
Regards Bond, James Bond (Skyship driver in A View to a kill)