Goodyear GZ-22 | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Class and type | Non-rigid airship |
| First flight | 1989 |
| Built | 1 |
The Loral GZ-22 (also known as the Goodyear GZ-22) was a class of non-rigid airship, or blimp first flown in 1989 and operated by Goodyear as its flagship promotional aircraft, with civil registration N4A and named Spirit of Akron. This was the only airship of this class ever built.
Source: the Goodyear GZ-22 on Wikipedia
| Goodyear GZ-22 Airship Gondola Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Bill Maloney |
| Localisation | MAPS Air Museum |
| Photos | 19 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The Goodyear GZ-22 was a unique, highly advanced non-rigid airship, or blimp, built by Goodyear in the late 1980s. Only one of this class was ever constructed, named the Spirit of Akron (civil registration N4A). The aircraft was originally designed to serve as a demonstrator to the U.S. Navy for a potential modern military surveillance platform, highlighting the continuing viability of airships. The GZ-22 was notable for being the first airship in the world to feature a fly-by-wire flight control system, turbine engines, and retractable landing gear, making it significantly more complex and capable than the earlier GZ-20 blimps it was intended to replace. Its gondola was constructed with a steel frame and a composite skin.
| Property | Typical Value (GZ-22 “Spirit of Akron”) |
|---|---|
| Role | Promotional / Technology Demonstrator / Surveillance Platform Prototype |
| National Origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Goodyear / Loral (built by Loral after Goodyear sold its aerospace division) |
| First Flight | 1987 |
| Crew | 1 (Pilot) + 1 Technician |
| Capacity (Passengers) | Up to 10 |
| Length (Overall) | 62.64 m (205 ft 6 in) |
| Width (Overall) | 14.33 m (47 ft 0 in) |
| Height (Overall) | 18.34 m (60 ft 2 in) |
| Envelope Volume | 7,017 m³ (247,800 cu ft) |
| Gross Weight | 6,804 kg (15,000 lb) |
Powerplant and Performance
- Engines: 2 x Allison 250-B17C turboprop engines.
- Power Output (Each): 313 kW (420 hp).
- Maximum Speed: 105 km/h (65 mph; 56 kn).
- Cruise Speed: Approx. 64 km/h (40 mph).
- Range: Approx. 1,450 km (900 miles).
- Service Ceiling: 3,000 m (10,000 ft).
- Key Technology: The turboprops drove reversible ducted fan propellers, with a swivel system to vector the thrust, significantly improving maneuverability over older blimps.
Status and Advanced Features
- Advanced Controls: It was the first airship to use an electronic fly-by-wire control system, replacing traditional mechanical controls like the ship’s wheel seen in older blimps.
- Tail Configuration: Featured an X-configured empennage (tail fins) instead of the traditional cross-shape, allowing for greater ground clearance during takeoff and landing.
- Accident: The Spirit of Akron was destroyed in a crash in 1999 due to a mechanical failure in the flight control system.
- Preservation: The surviving gondola and some other components are preserved and on display at the MAPS Air Museum in Ohio.
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