Unlike rigid airships that have an internal metal framework, this type of aerostat is essentially a giant fabric balloon. It holds its aerodynamic shape solely through the pressure of the lifting gas, usually helium, pumped inside its envelope. If the gas pressure drops, the entire structure deflates and loses its form.
Heard on the job
The camera crew is flying over the stadium in the blimp to get aerial coverage of the game.
Also heard as
- non-rigid airship
Do not mix it up with
- Zeppelin: A zeppelin has a rigid internal metal frame, whereas a blimp relies entirely on gas pressure to hold its shape.