The helium-filled 'Airlander' aircraft sits in a giant airship shed.
THE world’s biggest aircraft is set to be tested over the UK next month.
A cross between a plane, an airship and a helicopter, the Airlander 10 is the length of a football pitch and the height of six double-decker buses.
It will take to the skies from its hanger in Cardington airport, Bedfordshire, once its fins and engines are attached this week — three years after work began on it in the UK.
The Airlander 10 needs to clock up 200 hours of flying before it is deemed airworthy by the Civil Aviation Authority and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
It has a rather, well, striking design.Source:Getty Images
Originally created by British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles as a surveillance aircraft for the US military, this test flight is a key milestone for the Airlander 10.
The company’s head of communications, Chris Daniels, told the Times: “We are looking at pictures of airships over Bedfordshire in the 1920s and the sight of them literally stopped the traffic.
“People were awe-struck. We’re expecting the same thing.”
Taking to the skies. Picture: AirlanderSource:Supplied
He explained the Airlander 10 is much bigger than the world’s largest aeroplane, an A380, but flies much lower and slower.
“I’m slightly worried about the effect it will have on the A-roads of Bedfordshire,” Mr Daniels admitted.
The Airlander 10, named after its ability to carry 10 tonnes, measures 92 metres long, 43m wide and 26m tall. It’s shaped like a traditional airship, made of super-strong carbon fibre and filled with helium to raise it.
It’s ‘much bigger’ than an A380. Picture: AirlanderSource:Supplied
The aircraft can carry up to 50 people and reach a top speed of 148km/h, with the ability to stay airborne for three weeks while unmanned.
The Airlander 10 can also operate in extreme temperatures, making it an attractive vehicle for search and rescue operations, environmental observations and police surveillance.
The flight deck of the helium-filled Airlander.Source:Getty Images
It’s run by four diesel turbocharged engines but burns a quarter of the fuel used by regular planes, with future ‘greener’ versions set to be fitted with solar panels.
The project was initially given £60 ($122) million by the US government before it was pulled by the military for being too costly.
It was then shipped over to Britain, where it received $26 million of private investment cash including government and EU grants worth $12 million.
The plane is able to carry large payloads over long distances very efficiently.Source:Getty Images
The project is backed by various celebrities including Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson and Richard Branson.
Trials will initially be restricted to a 112 kilometre radius of the airfield.
Could we soon be flying on one? Picture: AirlanderSource:Supplied
This story originally appeared on The Sun.
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