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
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 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
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
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 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
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