2012 Marks the 60th Anniversary of the Lighter-Than-Air-Society

Posted on December 31, 2011 by LighterThanAirSociety

The Lighter-Than-Air Society was founded on December 10, 1952. To celebrate this event, throughout the year we will be adding new features to our website, with an emphasis on History. Visit our History pages (click on History on the Navigation bar at the top of the page) for new features, including “This Month in Buoyant Flight History”.

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Autonomous Deployment Demonstration Program Completes Flight Testing

Posted on January 9, 2012 by LighterThanAirSociety

Source: Naval Research Laboratory

  The Naval Research Laboratory Vehicle Research Section has successfully completed flight tests for the Autonomous Deployment Demonstration (ADD) program. The final demonstration took place Sept. 1 at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, Ariz., and consisted of a series of eight balloon-drops at altitudes of up to 57,000 ft, delivering sensor-emplacement Close-In Covert Autonomous Disposable Aircraft (CICADA) vehicles within 15 feet of their intended landing locations. Continue reading →

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Orange County panel approves Tustin hangar park plan

Posted on January 7, 2012 by LighterThanAirSociety

This is the North Hangar at the former Tustin Marine Air Station. Photo: Jebb Harris, The Orange County Register – 2003

Source: The Orange County Register

By Elysse James / The Orange County Register

Regional park plan includes a water polo and ice hockey rink on the former Tustin Marine base.

TUSTIN – The Orange County Parks Commission has approved a plan for the land around the north Tustin blimp hangar to become a regional park.

The hangar would be restored, and the surrounding 84.5 acres could be transformed into park space, with picnic areas, walking trails and fields. Continue reading →

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11 die in New Zealand hot air balloon fire, crash

Posted on January 7, 2012 by LighterThanAirSociety

Source: MSNBC News

‘Everyone was screaming’

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A hot air balloon hit a power line, caught fire and crashed, killing all 11 people on board and devastating the town where it happened.

The sightseeing balloon, carrying a pilot and five couples, came down on a farm outside Carterton, a town with a tradition of ballooning among locals and visitors. Continue reading →

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Plans for Ogden police blimp canceled

Posted on January 7, 2012 by LighterThanAirSociety

Source: Standard Examiner

By Scott Schwebke

OGDEN — The police department’s plan to launch a crime-fighting blimp has crashed.

The blimp has been scuttled and was deflated by a number of factors, said Mayor-elect Mike Caldwell. Continue reading →

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