Zeppelin NT changes common sense about air
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| - The world's largest means of aerial flight _even larger than a jumbo jet |
| The Zeppelin NT operated by Nippon Airship Corporation is the world's largest, with an overall length of 75 meters. Even a jumbo jet is only 70 meters long and previous airships were all in the 40-meter or 60-meter class. |
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| - A rarity _there are only three in the world |
| At present, there are only three Zeppelin NTs in the entire world and only two of those can be used for commercial purposes. Nippon Airship Corporation's Zeppelin NT is the only one outside of Germany. |
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| - Uses gas that is nonflammable and is not harmful to the human body |
| The helium used to inflate the airship is a nonflammable gas that will not ignite even if a match is struck. Mixed with oxygen in the air tanks used by deep-sea divers and used at parties to create that funny “helium voice,” the gas is completely harmless to the human body. |
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| - Permits a new type of motion and mobility |
| Unlike previous non-rigid airships (two-engine), the Zeppelin NT has three engines, one mounted at the center on each side of the body and one at the tail. Tilt-type propellers are used for all three engines, so the propeller angle can be varied to permit hovering and 360&Mac176; rotation. The airship is highly maneuverable, permitting flights linked with ground events, aerial photography and surveying and observation. |
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| - Secure, returns to the ground safely in case of emergency |
| In Germany as of April 2006, 60,000 people of all ages have enjoyed aerial sightseeing trips in these airships since summer 2001, but there has not been even one accident during that time. Even if the airship does develop a problem, the buoyancy of the helium gas will prevent the airship from stalling and permit it to return to the ground safely. (Even if the skin developed a 30-centimeter-diameter hole, it would take about eight hours for the gas to escape.) |
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| - Quiet cabin _conversation can be held at normal levels |
| Unlike previous non-rigid airships, the engine propeller is installed at a distance from the passenger gondola so the cabin is quiet. Headphones, such as those used in helicopters, are unnecessary and normal conversations can be held. |
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| - Low noise pollution, even when moored on the ground |
| Airships are very quiet in comparison to jet planes, helicopters or other planes and do not have an adverse effect on the environment. |
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| - Very popular overseas _waiting period for a ride are over one year |
| In Germany, there are usually over 10,000 people holding advance reservations for a sightseeing flight, and the actual date of the flight is about one year after reservations are requested. |
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