On Saturday August 23, 2014 Goodyear’s newest airship, a Zeppelin LZ N07-101, was christened as Wingfoot One and made its ceremonial first flight.
During his remarks welcoming the 1000+ people that came to witness the event, Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer acknowledged several public figures present as well as Thomas Brandt, CEO of the Zeppelin Company and Andreas Brand, Mayor of Friedrichshafen (where Zeppelin’s headquarters and airship manufacturing are located), who is also President of the Zeppelin Foundation. He also saluted Walter Bjerre. Now 92 years old, Walter was a Navy blimp pilot in World War II. After serving his country, he came to work for Goodyear, flying blimps and training pilots.
The new airship was christened by Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, with Richard Kramer looking on. Photo: Cleveland.com (The Plain Dealer)
After the christening, Ms Roberts, Mr. Kramer and other personalities boarded the airship for its first flight which took them over Akron, the iconic Airdock and Goodyear headquarters.
Wingfoot One in the hangar prior to the ceremonies.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Control car of the new airship.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Guests attending the ceremony enter the hangar where the new airship was christened.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Richard Kramer, CEO of Goodyear addresses the audience.
Photo: Cleveland.com (The Plain Dealer).
Robin Roberts greets the audience: “Good Morning Akron!”.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Thomas Brandt (left), CEO of the Zeppelin company with Andreas Brand (right), President of the Zeppelin Foundation and Mayor of Friedrichshafen.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Wingfoot One starts its ceremonial first flight.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Wingfoot One returns to Wingfoot Lake at the culmination of the first flight.
Photo: Alvaro Bellon
Wingfoot One over the Wingfoot Lake hangar.
Photo: Goodyear
Wingfoot One over the Akron Airdock.
Photo: Goodyear
Wingfoot One over Goodyear headquarters in Akron.
Photo: Goodyear
Read more about the christening in the Aerospace Manufacturing and Design article by Eric Brothers.