American Blimp Corporation

The American Blimp Corporation ( ABC) provides blimps mainly manufactures for aerial advertising.

The company was founded in 1987. The company is based in the U.S. Hillsboro, Oregon.

Many of the civilian models are operated by The Lightship Group ( TLG). Military versions of the airships are labeled " SpectorTM " and MZ -3A.

Model A- 60

The A- 60 is a small advertising airship. The first flight took place in 1989. Including prototype were built until 2003 18 airships of this type. On 3 February 1999, this type was also approved by the German Federal Aviation Authority for visual and instrument flight (VFR and IFR) with one pilot. Some of the ships have already exceeded the 10 000 operating hours Brand

  • Volume: 1900 m³
  • Length: 39 m
  • Drive: 2x Limbach, each with 66 kW
  • Fuel storage 261 l
  • Flight time: up to 15 h
  • Payload: 230 kg
  • Pilot and up to four passengers
  • Military Designation: SpectorTM 19

Accidents

Accident On Pentecost Sunday, 12 June 2011, the "Spirit of Safety I" - an airship of the type A-60 - on the airfield Reichel home. Died in the accident, the pilot, the three inmates who escaped by jumping.

Model A- 150

Construction and FAA certification of the first ship of this type was in 1997 until 2003 7 were built.

  • Volume: 4200 cubic meters
  • Length: 50 m
  • Drive: 2x Lycoming IO-360 with 132 kW ( 180 hp )
  • Fuel storage 560 l
  • Flight time: up to 15 h
  • Payload: 628 kg
  • Pilot and up to 9 passengers
  • Military Designation: SpectorTM 42
56085
de