Spirit of Dubai
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The Spirit of Dubai is one of three Skyship 600 aircraft operated by Airship Management of Greenwich, CT, USA. These ships are currently the world's largest currently operating non-rigid airships (the Zeppelin NT is a larger, but semi-rigid design.) The airship, N605SK (SKS 600-05) and was originally built by Airship Industries in Cardington, UK in November 1986. Airship Industries was bought by Westinghouse Corporation in the very early 1990's.
In November of 2006, the ship was decorated with new artwork and flown under the name Spirit of Dubai. The ship is planned to make a publicity tour from London to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The journey is being undertaken to promote a new land development, The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. It is planned that the journey will take in landmarks including the Big Ben, The London Eye and Tower Bridge in London, Stonehenge, the White Cliffs of Dover, the Eiffel Tower and Versailles in Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens and the Great Pyramids in Egypt. The Spirit of Dubai is due to arrive in Dubai before the end of the year.
Prior to its landmark journey from London to Dubai, the aircraft was used for sightseeing tours in Switzerland under the name Skycruiser.
 Spirit of Dubai as it approaches its motorised mooring mast |
 The Skyship over Fair Oaks airport prior to her 2006 tour. |
 Spirit of Dubai near at Fair Oaks airport in the UK prior to departure |
[edit] Specification
- Length: 66 metres / 216 ft 5 in
- Height: 22 metres /72 ft 2 in
- 7,600m³
- Cruising speed of 30-50 mph
- Weight 5,500 kg when deflated
[edit] Links
- Spirit of Dubai MySpace
- Press coverage of the start of the publicity tour.
- Official Tour Website -- Contains photo galleries, pilot's blog, etc.
- Airship Management Services -- Operators of the designation Skyship 600.
- Skycruiser Switzerland -- Usual role for this aircraft during the Summer months.
