Announcements 2012


2012nov20

Friedrichshafen Airport Enthusiast Day: Thursday, 6 December 2012

London > Friedrichshafen > London
Enthusiast Daytrip Itinerary (all times local)

0400 -- Assemble at Monarch Airlines’ check-in, South Terminal, London Gatwick Airport. Collect Boarding Passes for our roundtrip flights to Friedrichshafen (FDH)

0615 -- Depart on flight ZB129 to Friedrichshafen
The flight operates on a Monarch Airlines Boeing B757-200

0900 -- Arrive at Friedrichshafen on Monarch’s first flight to our new scheduled destination
This is a special occasion for both Monarch and our colleagues at Flughafen Friedrichshafen

0945 -- A visit to the Dornier Museum with a number of unique aircraft in a fantastic new building.

1130 -- We will return to the airport for a tour of the site provided by Flughafen Friedrichshafen staff

1230 -- After a short bus transfer, we will arrive at the Zeppelin Hangars on the opposite side of the airfield
At this point snacks will be provided

A guided tour of the giant hangars and production site will then be led by Zeppelin staff

1400 -- We will depart by bus to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen City Centre

1430 -- You will then have time to explore the Zeppelin Museum at your leisure

After visiting the Museum, you will have time to explore the city on the shores of beautiful Lake Constance.  During our visit the Christmas Markets will be in full swing, so that city will be in festive mood.

1800 -- Transfer back to Friedrichshafen Airport by bus

1830 -- We will be treated to a “Folk-like” Swabian evening and meal, including local foods and beers
*The meal will be served in the airport fire station with views of the FDH ramp

2155 -- Depart on flight ZB130 to London Gatwick
The flight operates on a Monarch Airlines Boeing B757-200

2240 -- Arrive at London Gatwick’s South Terminal

The event will be escorted by Monarch Airlines staff members who will be on hand to answer questions.  The Zeppelin museum tour will be escorted by museum guides, and tours of the Zeppelin production site will be escorted by company staff.  There will be plenty of walking, so guests are recommended to wear comfortable shoes, and pack lightly.

All this for just £159.98 per person. Places are limited, so book now! Includes: Fares and Taxes for your roundtrip flights to Friedrichshafen, guided tours of the Zeppelin Museum, visit to the Zeppelin Production Site, entrance to the Dornier Museum, your evening meal in the Fire Station, all transfers and the services of Monarch Airlines staff members for the duration of the event. Excludes: Credit Card Booking Fees and Seat Reservation Charges (£11.99 each way for extra leg room seats and £5.99 each way for standard seats)

Monarch Airlines Reservations:  0843 227 1312 (Calls cost 10p per minute). Flights provided are subject to our terms and conditions -- please see www.monarch.co.uk for further information.  Tours may be cancelled or rescheduled without notice to you in the event of a security or operational related issue at the airport.  You acknowledge that you will have appropriate travel insurance in place for this trip.  Bookings are non-refundable and we do not allow for changes to be made.

 

2012nov15

Airship Ventures Ceases Operations

Airship Ventures Ceases Operations
Lacking Sponsorship, World’s Largest Passenger Airship Grounded as of Today

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., November 14, 2012 -- Airship Ventures, operators of the world’s largest passenger airship, the Zeppelin Eureka, have announced today that despite history-making successes and a stellar performance and safety record, they will be ceasing operations immediately.

“Operating this unique aircraft has been an inspiring experience and it is with a very heavy heart that we’ve come to this point requiring us to cease operations and ground Eureka,” commented Airship Ventures CEO Brian Hall. “Our team is the best at what they do and their dedication to Eureka, our passengers and our dream of flying a Zeppelin in the USA has been remarkable. I’m beyond sad to disband their talents and leave Moffett Field, our friends and fans without an active airship.”

Blending the romance of the "golden age of aviation" with the latest in high-technology, Airship Ventures, founded in 2007, brought a Zeppelin NT ("New Technology") airship to the USA for flightseeing, science missions, media and advertising operations.

Passenger flights began in 2008 in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley, Oakland and San Francisco) and Long Beach, and most recently expanded to California’s beautiful wine country. 2012 saw the addition of behind-the-scenes educational ground tours of the airship. In addition to passenger flights and advertising, the Eureka had performed a wide variety of special missions for government, science and research groups, including recent expansion into airship design, research and development.

Since its founding, the company had faced challenges including the economic recession that impacted regular passenger numbers and demanded the need for a regular sponsorship partner for the company to remain viable. Adding to this, a world helium shortage increased the company’s operating costs and pressure for a long-term sponsor that had not materialized.

However, even in the face of these challenges, Airship Ventures marked more than a few distinguished milestones:

  • Created the first large scale passenger airship operation in the US since the 1930s.
  • Welcomed the 20,000th passenger during a flightseeing tour over San Francisco in 2012.
  • Celebrated four years of passenger operations in 2012.
  • Completed a history-making, six-month coast to coast cross country tour in 2011.
  • Covered 459.3 miles and broke the standing Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) airship distance record in 2010.
  • Provided aerial coverage for the Rose Bowl Game, ESPN’s College Game Day, the Farmer’s Insurance Open, Zurich Classic, US Open of Surfing, Dew Tour, and Red Bull Flugtag
  • Partnered with NASA and SETI on meteorite seeking missions over Sacramento and Sonoma, California, and with SETI on the study of extremophiles in the bay area salt ponds.
  • Acted as a training vessel for the U.S. Air Force’s test pilots.
  • Hired and trained both the first female Zeppelin pilot and first American female Zeppelin pilot
  • Certified and demonstrated the use of Raymarine Radar and FLIR Systems infrared systems for use in the roles of Maritime Patrol and Search and Rescue with the airship.
  • Did the first skydive over downtown Los Angeles from an airship in support of a major media event, and the first wingsuit jump from an airship over downtown San Francisco during a major technology conference
  • Launched a social media campaign displaying the world’s largest Twitter hashtag as a decal on the airship.
 

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Last update: 20 Nov 2012