Goodyear took Wingfoot One -- its first Zeppelin NT airship -- out for a spin in March 2014 at its facility near Akron, Ohio. Click through the gallery to see more of Goodyear's first new model in 45 years.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
Goodyear took Wingfoot One -- its first Zeppelin NT airship -- out for a spin in March 2014 at its facility near Akron, Ohio. Click through the gallery to see more of Goodyear's first new model in 45 years.
Courtesy Goodyear
Goodyear's now retired GZ-20 blimps, like this one, were shorter and slower than the new NTs -- which stands for new technology. The tire and rubber company estimates that about 60 million Americans get a first-hand look at its blimps every year.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
Goodyear's now retired GZ-20 blimps, like this one, were shorter and slower than the new NTs -- which stands for new technology. The tire and rubber company estimates that about 60 million Americans get a first-hand look at its blimps every year.
Thom Patterson/CNN
The NT cockpits of the new Goodyear blimps offer an updated instrument panel and fly-by-wire steering system controlled by joysticks.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
The NT cockpits of the new Goodyear blimps offer an updated instrument panel and fly-by-wire steering system controlled by joysticks.
Courtesy Goodyear
The new Zeppelin measures 54 feet longer and -- with three engines instead of two -- flies about 20 mph faster than the old Goodyear blimps.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
The new Zeppelin measures 54 feet longer and -- with three engines instead of two -- flies about 20 mph faster than the old Goodyear blimps.
Courtesy Goodyear
Keeping tabs on your blimp is easy if you have a mast to attach it to. This mast inside the Goodyear hangar has the Zeppelin's nose cone in its clutches.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
Keeping tabs on your blimp is easy if you have a mast to attach it to. This mast inside the Goodyear hangar has the Zeppelin's nose cone in its clutches.
Courtesy Goodyear
The Zeppelin's helium-filled "envelope" consists mostly of polyester. The older models were made from Dacron and neoprene. The Zeppelin has a semirigid internal skeleton that technically disqualifies it from official designation as a blimp. But Goodyear says it prefers to call the Zeppelin "blimps" anyway.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
The Zeppelin's helium-filled "envelope" consists mostly of polyester. The older models were made from Dacron and neoprene. The Zeppelin has a semirigid internal skeleton that technically disqualifies it from official designation as a blimp. But Goodyear says it prefers to call the Zeppelin "blimps" anyway.
Courtesy Goodyear
Seating in the gondola increases from six or seven in the older blimps to 12 in the new fleet. Also, the new airships have a restroom, unlike the previous model.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
Seating in the gondola increases from six or seven in the older blimps to 12 in the new fleet. Also, the new airships have a restroom, unlike the previous model.
Courtesy Goodyear
With the launch of Wingfoot Three in 2018, Goodyear's fleet of identical NTs is finally complete. In 2019, Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two and Wingfoot Three are expected to expand their travel schedules beyond sporting venues to include community events as well.
Goodyear goes Zeppelin —
With the launch of Wingfoot Three in 2018, Goodyear's fleet of identical NTs is finally complete. In 2019, Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two and Wingfoot Three are expected to expand their travel schedules beyond sporting venues to include community events as well.
Courtesy Goodyear