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Being Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google and one of the world’s wealthiest people, has its perks. In fact, it's helped him get approval for his crazy colossal airship that can both deliver life-saving aid and serve as his luxurious flying vehicle.
Exterior of Pathfinder 1 (LTA Research) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
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The first of Brin’s green and modern airships to take off soon
Brin’s company, LTA Research, has been working on developing "lighter than air" vehicles that use helium to float in the sky. LTA stands for "lighter-than-air," which refers to the technology of using helium or hydrogen gas to lift airships.
Exterior of Pathfinder 1 (LTA Research via LinkedIn) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
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The first airship to receive FAA certification
LTA Research recently announced that its first airship, the Pathfinder 1, has received its airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is the first time that a hybrid-electric airship has been certified by the FAA.
This means that the airship can start test flights in the Bay Area and Ohio, where the company has its facilities. The airship is reportedly being built at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.
Pathfinder 1 completed a five-minute flight inside Hangar 2 at Moffett Field on May 12, 2023. Currently, its team of qualified airship pilots, flight test engineers and skilled ground crew are conducting tests and training for longer outdoor flights.
Exterior of airship (LTA Research via LinkedIn) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
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The Pathfinder 1 by the numbers
The Pathfinder 1 is a huge vessel, measuring nearly 400 feet long and 66 feet wide, which is about twice the length of a Boeing 747 jet. It uses helium and 12 electric motors to fly. According to the LTA, its airships could one day carry up to 200 tons of cargo on each flight. The company plans to use it for delivering food, medicine and other supplies to remote areas of the world that lack infrastructure and access to transportation.
But the Pathfinder 1 is not just a humanitarian vehicle. It is also a luxurious "air yacht" that Brin can use for his personal travels and entertainment. The airship will reportedly have a spacious cabin with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, a lounge and a dining area. It will also have a glass-bottomed observation deck that will offer stunning views of the landscapes below.
Sergey Brin’s $250 million mission
Brin has been involved in LTA Research since 2016, and he has reportedly spent more than $250 million on the project. He has a vision of creating airships that can revolutionize the way we transport goods and people around the world, while also reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Kurt's key takeaways
Sergey Brin’s airship is a remarkable example of how technology and innovation can be used for both good and fun. It is a testament to his passion for exploration and discovery, as well as his generosity and philanthropy. Brin’s airship is not just a crazy yacht that he got approved because he is a billionaire. It is a potential game-changer that could make a positive difference in the world.
What do you think of Brin’s airship? Would you like to ride on it someday? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
