Low-flying blimp startles residents – Bradford County Telegraph

BY DAN HILDEBRAN

On Friday, September 13, a Goodyear Blimp approaching the Keystone Heights Airport at 400 feet because of poor weather startled some Lake Region residents.

Airport Manager Craig Koons said he didn’t expect the Zeppelin to fly into the facility because of weather conditions.

A seven-wheeled, 63,500-pound Mac mast truck is one of seven ground vehicles that move ahead of the airship. At least one ground crew member always stays with the zeppelin, monitoring helium levels and the ship’s reaction to wind.

However, pilots guided the semirigid airship, Wingfoot Two, onto the airport’s infield.

Koons said the low-altitude approach was legal and within regulations. However, the sight of the nearly football-field-long blimp generated several calls to the airport, with homeowners asking, “Why is a blimp flying so low over my house?”

Wingfoot Two’s gondola seats two pilots and can carry up to 14 passengers.

Wingfoot Two was moored at the airport over the weekend for trips to Gainesville to cover the Florida-Texas A&M football game.