A large white airship was spotted flying over the Bay Area earlier this week, prompting questions from local social media users about what it was doing and where it came from.
One questioned if it was a privately owned blimp and pointed out how odd it was to see one with no apparent markings. Another noted that it was moving faster than most blimps typically do.
What they were seeing was an A-60, an airship used by experimental aircraft company LTA Research to train pilots as it develops its much larger Pathfinder 1 electric airship.
LTA’s A-60 and an early prototype of the Pathfinder 1 occasionally fly from Moffett Field (KNUQ) in Santa Clara County, California, near the south end of San Francisco Bay.
The company explained in a social media post earlier this year that it is using the A-60, built by the American Blimp Corporation, to prepare pilots for the Pathfinder.
“From ground handling to maintenance, this small lightship is a training tool for the next generation of airship operation professionals,” LTA said.
LTA is developing the Pathfinder with German aerospace manufacturer Zeppelin. The 408-foot airship will be powered by 12 electric motors positioned along its sides and tail. Thirteen circular mainframes make up the interior of the “balloon,” each composed of 96 welded titanium hubs and 288 multi-ply carbon fiber reinforced polymer tubes. The gondola will be built by Zeppelin.
LTA’s ultimate goal is to develop a fleet of green energy, zero-carbon transport airships capable of carrying cargo and passengers.
