An airship uses a large envelope filled with a lifting gas, typically helium, to achieve buoyancy. Unlike free balloons, airships have engines for propulsion and aerodynamic controls for steering. They are divided into rigid, semi-rigid, and non-rigid types.
Heard on the job
The ground crew needs at least ten people on the ropes to moor the airship safely in this crosswind.
Also heard as
- dirigible
Do not mix it up with
- Blimp: A blimp is a specific type of non-rigid airship, whereas an airship can also have a rigid internal frame.