The Herman Trend Alert
March 8, 2023
Sky Cruising is Coming Back
I admit it; I love to fly. One of the highlights of flying for me is the ability to take amazing pictures of clouds and sunsets and too many sunrises. (I've used one of my shots for the graphic on this Herman Trend Alert on the new JoyceGioia.com website.) Now, presuming that people are rich, they may take those pictures to their heart's content.
From people like Leonardo da Vinci and Jules Verne to Michio Katsu and Hayao Miyazaki, these visionaries have shared their thoughts about flying machines. At one time in the 1930s and 40s, aerial tourism was popular, until dozens of people died in crash of an airship called the Hindenburg. Happily, now, airships are making a comeback. Though due to expense, they are unlikely to ever compete with jet aircraft for long-distance travel, they offer low operating costs, reduced infrastructure requirements, and significantly lower carbon output.
Sky Yachting Is a Very Appropriate Term
For a long time now, people have been using helicopters and small airplanes for aerial tourism. The next step up in luxury is these new posh airships; they are like small cruise ships in the skies.
Special Advantages in Regional Travel
Particularly in places where there is growing pressure from governments and environmental groups, threatening to restrict the commercial air-travel sector, these new less-polluting sky-borne vehicles make a lot of sense.
Some Companies are Already Investing
Anticipating future regulations, the Spanish carrier Air Nostrum recently ordered 10 Airlander airships from manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) of Britain. Expected to be certified and flown commercially in 2026, the Airlander 10 can carry approximately 130 passengers and cruise at an airspeed of between 50 and 70 knots. This airship uses four kerosene-powered reciprocating engines for propulsion and noncombustible helium for buoyancy. Environmentalists will appreciate that this system burns 90 percent less fuel than similarly sized aircraft. Moreover, it even has a number of lavish suites and an ability to stay airborne for five days, so it will be like a floating top-tier hotel as well.
LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research
Google cofounder Sergey Brin established LTA Research, headquartered both in Mountain View, California, and at the Goodyear Airdock hangar in Akron, Ohio. LTA's Pathfinder airships will develop new airship technologies with zero emissions. Brin has the passion and the money to make Pathfinder successful and when that happens, expect to see sizable investments in the sector for applications like cargo and regional travel.
It's All about the Experience!
A prominent academic in the field characterized his own flight experience on British supplier Airship Industries' Skyship 600 like "being on a yacht." The craft would rise over the airborne thermals and then lower again. Compared to a conventional aircraft, the ride was a lot slower and more peaceful. And it does something else a fixed-wing aircraft can't do, it can idle, which he described as a his "a quiet, magical experience."
A Long-Range Airship
From Israel comes Atlas LTA Advanced Technology's Atlant 30. This airship accommodates 20 passengers across 10 suites. The Atlant 30 is expected to be ready to fly in 2026. This airship will be able to land on any surface, including water.
Sweden's Candidate
(Having been to Svalbard, this one made me say, "Wow." Partnering with experiential travel and yachting firm Pelorus, Swedish OceanSky Cruises is planning a 36-hour itinerary that takes travelers from Svalbard, Norway, to the North Pole at an altitude of 1,000 feet. This extravagant 3-day experience will combine exclusive cabins and haute cuisine with epic sightseeing through the glass flooring and windows. Sadly, the cost was also a "wow." The first customers will pay USD $200,000 for the excursion, comparable to the price of last year's first space flights on Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.
Aerial Tourism Will Be a Hit
Presuming that the companies can solve the safety issues, with folks looking for more and more intense experiences, sky yachting will become very popular. Who would not appreciate a bird's-eye view of stunning natural scenery, such as mountains, oceans, and forests, in a way that is impossible from the ground. Sky cruising will provide a unique experience that combines the thrill of flying with the beauty of nature.
Next Week's Herman Trend Alert: Remote Work Associated with High Rates of Depression
I was not surprised when I saw these study results, and it is really important to look at what it means for the future of work. Obviously, some employees are cut out for remote work; others are not. Tune in next week when I will explore the details of the study and what they mean for the future of your organization.
Special thanks to The Robb Report for bringing this topic to my attention. To read the entire article, visit
https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/flying-on-modern-airship-1234797717/#recipient_hashed=b40332b89324142cf0dafe8047fab152855fef62333435620185a26245932d60&recipient_salt=49b1be06f9296dbaafdd5c7cdf11df6ef095d874a002d10dee3485fa83419e7d
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