How did airships fly?

Yifl7Airships use a very different form of flight than most airplanes. These aircraft are commonly referred to as “lighter than air” because they rely on gasses to power their flight. The most common types of gas used include helium and hydrogen.

However, hydrogen has not been used in flying aircrafts such as blimps since the famous Hindenburg disaster in 1937 where over 30 people died as a result of the hydrogen filled Zeppelin. When it caught fire, and crashed, many died because they could not escape the burning inferno.

Hydrogen was listed as one of the reasons for the massive fire because it is a flammable gas. Hydrogen was a popular choice, as it was a lot cheaper to buy than helium. It is also a lighter gas, weighing less per pound. Helium, on the other hand, is not flammable and remains in use today for powering many lighter than air crafts.

The weight of the gasses allow for easier movement for heavy loads. This makes it an excellent choice for many lighter than air crafts. But the air to gas ratio must be carefully controlled. Air is much heavier than gas, so pilots for the airships must maintain careful levels to keep the craft flying on an even keel.