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The World's Largest Aircraft is a Giant Flying British Bum

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A vessel said to be the world's largest aircraft has left its hangar for the first time, in preparation for a test flight. Perhaps even more notably, the aircraft in question also quite closely (and hilariously) resembles a large, human posterior, which has led to the Airlander 10 being nicknamed “The Flying Bum.” The Airlander was built by British company Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), and departed from its hangar at the UK's Cardington Airfield in the early hours of Saturday morning (August 6). The company believes the vessel, which is quieter and emits less pollution than traditional aircraft, could be the future of air travel.

Nicknamed for its bisected, bulbous shape, the Airlander 10 was pulled for 30 minutes from the UK's biggest hangar in Bedfordshire to its mast site. There it underwent ground tests that need to be completed before it sets sail for its maiden voyage. The 91-metre-long and 26-metre-high Airlander 10 craft is a hybrid of an airship and an aeroplane. The combination of these systems means it can stay airborne for up to five days. To give you some idea of its size, the aircraft is roughly 50 feet longer than the largest Boeing 747 configuration.

There is no internal structure in the Airlander. Its shell, which is made from a strong liquid crystal polymer called Vectran, maintains its shape due to the pressure of helium inside its hull. The Airlander can stay airborne for long periods because 60% of its lift is produced aerostatically, by virtue of it being lighter than air. This allows it to float like a helium balloon. The other 40% of its lift is generated aerodynamically, as in aeroplanes, using the Airlander's wing-shaped hull. The aircraft's engines can be rotated to provide additional thrust upwards or downwards, allowing it to land, take off and hover.

Mike Durham, Technical Director for HAV, said before the Airlander departed the hanger last week: “We successfully completed our final in-hangar all-engines, all-generators, all-systems testing. The entire team is looking forward to the final series of tests outside before taking to the skies for the first time.” Speaking after the event, Durham said: “It was a very smooth first journey for Airlander and she behaved beautifully. We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone.”

Airlander 10 was originally developed as part of a US Army project, but was abandoned after funding cuts. Hybrid Air Vehicles then brought the craft back to the UK and converted it for civilian use. According to the BBC, the company is hoping to build 12 crafts per year by 2018; some as passenger aircraft that will carry up to 48 people at a time. It also sees a role for the Airlander 10 in coastguard duties, military and civil surveillance, filming and academic research. Once it proves 100% safe to fly, the airship could be used for surveillance, cargo, communications, humanitarian missions and passenger travel. The airship was officially named the Martha Gwyn, after the wife of Hybrid Air Vehicles chairman Philip Gwyn. It’s filled with 1.3 million cubic feet of helium, and can (theoretically) reach an altitude of 20,000 feet and fly for up to five days at speeds of 90 mph! Could this herald in a second age of airships? We can't say, but it's sure to be a fascinating journey either way.

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