On 6/22/2015 9:44 AM, Travis Watkins wrote:
For a small LTA vehicle, what would be the advantage of a dirigible type
over a hot-air balloon with a propeller for directional movement?
Seems like the balloon would be easier to stow(fold it up and toss the
envelope in the basket) and fuel(anything that burns well) as well as
pretty easy to make and repair(it is just funny-shaped tight-weave cloth
after all).
A balloon might not work well for covering a lot of ground, but if you just
need to move up and down, or get up high enough to do a quick survey of
extensive ranch land, it seems like it should work quite well without all
that dirigible infrastructure.
Balloons and blimps are very limited in speed compared to a dirigible.
Without the frame, the balloon deforms from the air drag, which then
increases drag.
Repair shouldn't be much different, the most common damage is going to
be to the bag which is repaired the same way as a balloon or blimp.
As for storage, I don't see why a high-tech dirigible frame couldn't
break down and fold for storage. Not as simply as a blimp, but you
shouldn't need a hangar to transport it.
Perhaps something in between? A semi-rigid airship might be the best bet.
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