DirecTV blimp

Manufactured mostly by American Blimp Corporation, the airship has a length of {{convert|178|ft|m|abbr=on}} and a width of {{convert|46|ft|m|abbr=on}} with a volume of {{convert|170,000|cuft|m3}} of helium.

The airship’s envelope and ballonet were designed and manufactured by ILC Dover, a manufacturer of flexible materials and softgoods based out of Frederick, Delaware. The length of the cabin or gondola is {{convert|11.4|ft|m|abbr=on}} with a width of {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The airship is also designed to carry a maximum of 8 passengers plus the pilot. The desired cruising speed can vary, but it is generally around {{convert|32|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} with a maximum speed of {{convert|48|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} when favorable winds are present. The engines of this airship are from manufacturer Lycoming Engines with twin Lycoming IO 360, rated 180 HP with constant speed variable pitch reversible propellers. The airship also needs a crew of at least 14 members which includes 2 pilots, 2 crew chiefs, mechanics, video lightsign operator and additional ground team.

The high-definition camera is gyroscopically stabilized and mounted to the front of the airship when it is providing the aerial shots for the network television. The camera is linked to a control panel that is controlled by a camera operator who sits in the cockpit behind the pilot's chair. During each event, the camera operator and pilot work together with the show director to provide the requested shot. The camera lens can magnify what is on the ground 72 times. Camera services for the airship are provided by Flying Pictures, an aerial video company based in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=http://www.flyingpictures.com/airshipBroad.php |title=Broadcast blimps |publisher=Flyingpictures.com |access-date=2012-02-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208205025/http://www.flyingpictures.com/airshipBroad.php |archive-date=2012-02-08 }} The signal form the camera is transmitted via microwave downlink, which is received on site by a microwave technician with a receiving antenna array. This receiving antenna array is hard-wired into the network's production facilities, which then use the aerial camera just as they would use any other camera.{{cite web |url=http://www.americanblimp.com/findex.htm |title=American Blimp Corporation Home Page |publisher=Americanblimp.com |access-date=2012-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208050500/http://www.americanblimp.com/findex.htm |archive-date=2012-02-08 |url-status=dead }}

With 33,600 pixels and 235,200 LEDs, the screen can be seen day or night giving the people on the ground the opportunity to see the sponsor's advertisements. At {{convert|70|ft|m|abbr=on}} by {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} the full color video sign is capable of displaying full motion and color TV quality video. The LED screen also has the capability of displaying live video action, concerts, highlights, scoreboards and interviews. The video screen has been part of marriage proposals, birthday announcements and network commentators play by play action calling.{{cite web|url=http://www.lightships.com/tlga170ls.php |title=Products >> A-170LS Video Lightsign Ligthship |publisher=Lightships |access-date=2012-02-13}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121016125411/http://www.cnbc.com/id/26543354/More_On_DirecTV_s_Blimp_Why_They_Have_It More On DirecTV's Blimp: Why They Have It]
• [http://www.ilcdover.com/Airships-Blimps/ Airships and Blimps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915031335/http://www.ilcdover.com/Airships-Blimps/ |date=2011-09-15 }}
• [http://vanwagneraerial.com Van Wagner Aerial Home]

{{AT&T}}

Category:Airships of the United States

Category:DirecTV