The new Gooyear Blimp makes its maiden flight.

SONY DSC This morning, March 17, 2014, a few minutes before 10:00 AM (EDT), the new Goodyear Blimp took to the air for the first time.

The following sequence of photographs documents the event.

The new Goodyear Blimp is moored to the mast truck at Wingfoot Lake prior to the flight. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The new Goodyear Blimp is moored to the mast truck at Wingfoot Lake prior to the flight.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

Close-up of the airships nose cone attached to the mooring mast. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

Close-up of the airships nose cone attached to the mooring mast.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

The escort helicopter flies over the new blimp moments before it separates from the mooring mast. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The escort helicopter flies over the new blimp moments before it separates from the mooring mast.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

The blimp starts to back away from the mooring mast. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The blimp starts to back away from the mooring mast.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

The blimp continues to back away from the mooring mast. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The blimp continues to back away from the mooring mast.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

Further back yet, ensuring the blimp will clear the mooring truck and mast. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

Further back yet, ensuring the blimp will clear the mooring truck and mast.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

Moments before take-off. The open doors of the Wingfoot Lake hangar can be seen to the left. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

Moments before take-off. The open doors of the Wingfoot Lake hangar can be seen to the left.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

9:58 AM (EDT): The airship begins it maiden flight. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

9:58 AM (EDT): The airship begins it maiden flight.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

Close-up view of blimp as it begins take-off. Notice that the propellers are vectored up. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

Close-up view of blimp as it begins take-off. Notice that the side propellers are vectored up and the stern propeller is vectored down.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

The airship begins it flight and starts to circle the Wingfoot Lake Blimp Base. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The airship begins it flight and starts to circle the Wingfoot Lake Blimp Base.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

Completing the circle, the new Goodyear Blimp flies over the Wingfoot Lake hangar. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

Completing the circle, the new Goodyear Blimp flies over the Wingfoot Lake hangar.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

The new blimp flies off on its first test flight. Photo: A. Bellon - LTAS

The new blimp flies off on its first test flight.
Photo: A. Bellon – LTAS

 

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