The world’s largest aircraft has taken to the skies over the UK for its successful maiden voyage.
The 302ft-long (92m) Airlander 10 performed one lap of the airfield – using engines that seemed much quieter than a plane or helicopter – before landing about half an hour later.
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAC) chief executive officer Stephen McGlennan said: “Think of a big helicopter, a really giant helicopter. This can do the same thing that a helicopter can do – that’s to say, provide air transportation for people and goods without the need for a runway – but this thing can take more over longer distances, it’s cheaper and it’s greener.
“It’s a great British innovation. It’s a combination of an aircraft that has parts of normal fixed wing aircraft, it’s got helicopter, it’s got airship.”
