Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a blimp!
A YouTube creator who flew in a blimp from Boston to New York City shared the pros and cons of the seven-hour trip, from the stunning views to the lack of access to a bathroom.
US-based content creator Michael Downie embarked on a different kind of journey in the skies.
He signed up for a blimp ride from Massachusetts to New York and documented the entire event on his channel.
In a video detailing his journey, one of the pilots told him the craft was called the American Blimp A-170 and was “approximately 170,000 cubic feet.”
After boarding the plane, Michael quickly discovered that the interior of the main cabin was quite basic and there was no bathroom on board.
YouTube creator Michael Downie embarked on a different kind of journey through the skies after signing up for a blimp ride from Boston to New York.
He told viewers he was aware of this beforehand, which is why he didn’t drink anything that morning and went to the bathroom twice before his seven-hour flight.
‘YO “It should be enough to last six to eight hours. I really don’t want to know what happens if you don’t make it,” the content creator mused.
Throughout the journey, the airship offered magnificent views through its large windows.
As they glided over a rural area, Michael turned the camera and said, ‘We’ve got plenty of legroom and we’re just flying at a leisurely pace, hovering at just about 1,000 feet.
‘Heading towards the coast means we can enjoy the views below.
“It’s a unique perspective. We fly much lower and slower than an airplane, so we can see much more.”
In one scene, Michael explained that a wheel on the side of the pilot’s seat controlled “the movement of the rear rudders, which pointed them up and down.”
Meanwhile, pedals were used to steer the airship left and right.
In a video detailing his journey, one of the pilots told him the craft was called the American Blimp A-170 and was “approximately 170,000 cubic feet.”
Throughout the journey, the airship offered magnificent views through its large windows.
Referring to the history of airships, Michael noted that while they are mostly used for marketing purposes today, they were once used for passenger travel.
Although Michael said controlling a blimp was “pretty simple,” he noted that it required constant attention because “the slightest gust of wind can blow us off course.”
For this reason, the airship was manned by several pilots who rotated every few hours.
As for speed, one of the pilots noted that the airship can reach 35 miles per hour in no wind, but “there is never a lack of wind.”
Referring to the history of airships, Michael noted that while they are mostly used for commercial purposes today (Goodyear being the most famous example), in the past they were used for passenger travel.
Confirming this fact, one of the pilots added: ‘It was really after the First World War, you know… when they thought of using them as passenger transport.
“I mean they flew across the Atlantic. I mean the first airplane that flew around the world was a dirigible.”
While hydrogen was once used to lift airships, helium is now used because it is a safe and inert gas.
As they passed over the communities below, Michael told his viewers, “If you’re watching this and you ever see a blimp in the air, be sure to say hello… we definitely appreciate seeing you say hello from up here.”
As for speed, one of the pilots noted that the airship can reach 35 miles per hour in no wind, but “there is never a lack of wind.”
Continuing on his way, Manhattan slowly came into view.
At some point during their journey, Michael and the crew had to make a quick stop to rebalance the airship.
Michael explained that on longer trips, the ground crew has to add weight to the aircraft to counteract the weight of the fuel that has been burned.
Continuing on their way, Manhattan slowly came into view.
As they passed several iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Michael seemed amazed by the unique views the blimp offered.
He told viewers: ‘We’re going to cruise down the Hudson River with Manhattan to our left in a blimp… that’s all I have to say. I’m practically speechless.’
“If I’m honest, after a long day in the air, I can’t think of a better way to end this flight than with a scenic ride along the Hudson River past the towering Manhattan skyline.”
To date, Michael’s YouTube video detailing his blimp ride has been viewed more than 219,000 times, with many viewers thanking him for sharing the “fun” and “cool” experience.
