Speaking of airships, a prototype AirLander airship/airplane combo at Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd made its first flight a year ago: “Airlander” Hybrid Air Vehicle – the dawning of a new age for airships! – global aviation report –

Hybrid Air Vehicles is the world’s leading developer of the next generation of lighter-than-air craft. Based in the UK, it can draw on 30 years of modern airship development. HAV is currently developing 2 types of airship:

1) A prototype long-endurance aircraft that can stay airborne, manned for 5 days at a time and provide a stable platform for communications, geological survey, academic research, surveillance or filming.

2) A heavy lift aircraft to transport 50 tonnes of equipment to any area in the world. The HAV can land on water, ice and desert as well as more traditional surfaces and is likely to be useful for mining, oil & gas and aid or disaster relief.

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