The World’s Longest Aircraft Falls Flat on Its Face

The World’s Longest Aircraft Falls Flat on Its Face
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The Airlander 10, a 302-foot-long aircraft, failed to stick its landing during its second trial flight, nose-diving into the ground and sustaining damage. The crew is safe and well, and the extent of damage to the aircraft is currently being assessed. A spokesman has been quoted by the BBC, saying that the “flight went really well and the only issue was when it landed,” though it’s unclear how big of a setback the crash constitutes.

The Airlander 10 is the longest aircraft in the world, weighing in at 44,100 pounds and capable of reaching speeds of 80 knots. It’s a hybrid airplane-airship with two rounded helium-filled hulls, resembling a bulbous zeppelin with wings jutting out its sides. Some have likened to a “flying bum,” as The Atlantic reports.

The mongrel aircraft, produced by British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles, is supposed to be a major innovation in air transport, capable of carrying 22,000 pounds of cargo for days in the air while burning one-fifth of the fuel of a commercial jetliner. It’s cheaper than a Boeing 747 to build and way more fuel-efficient– two benefits that may bring dirigibles and helium-filled modes of air transport back into popularity and rehabilitate a reputation that never quite recovered from the Hindenburg disaster.

While the plane was originally funded by the U.S. military, HAV believes the Airlander 10 can be used in a variety of scenarios, including tourism, cargo transport, internet-beaming, surveillance, and military operations. The company is hoping to have 10 of them in operation by 2021.

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