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Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Andrij
()
Date: November 02, 2010 11:39AM
Okay, so Im building a dirigible in my backyard here in McLean. Does anyone know what permits I need to fly it around here? I know theres the Aegis defense zone, not sure if lighter than air counts for that as well. Gogo pilots! Give me some info!
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Mothwing_Pierrot
()
Date: November 04, 2010 09:04PM
What? This is a miracle! There is someone interesting enough in McLean to build a dirigible!
In all seriousness, though, that sounds like a fascinating project, I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful... but do please post pictures of it when you finish!
In all seriousness, though, that sounds like a fascinating project, I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful... but do please post pictures of it when you finish!
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Airship?
()
Date: November 05, 2010 02:13AM
Why are you trying to make this sound fancy, using words like airship and dirigible?
Just say you're building a fucking blimp. Fuck, it's a bag of air and/or gas with a 'lil motor. What the fuck is so special about it?
Just say you're building a fucking blimp. Fuck, it's a bag of air and/or gas with a 'lil motor. What the fuck is so special about it?
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Andrij
()
Date: November 05, 2010 02:51PM
@ Mothwing, I will certainly post pictures, its a long process for a 65 foot ship, the 10 foot personal ones are going to be done in a month or two! We always need more people to help out with the building and design of them if you're interested!
@ Other dude, theyre different types of lighter than air craft. Look it up before ranting mate. Blimps are like the goodyear blimp. Gondola attached to the balloon itself. Airship is a generic term and dirigible has a rigid balloon structure so it can withstand more pressure which generally = more speed and more manuverable. Mine will hang. Balloon then steel cables to a boat. Much more complicated and pretty.
@ Other dude, theyre different types of lighter than air craft. Look it up before ranting mate. Blimps are like the goodyear blimp. Gondola attached to the balloon itself. Airship is a generic term and dirigible has a rigid balloon structure so it can withstand more pressure which generally = more speed and more manuverable. Mine will hang. Balloon then steel cables to a boat. Much more complicated and pretty.
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Good luck
()
Date: November 07, 2010 04:27PM
The FAA is happy to tell you what you need to fly a dirigible.
It involves a real license, a real registration, and the right type of airspace and/or real permission to fly there - the DC area is rather rigid about folks flying in the wrong airspace.
Licenses et al: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/
Words on experimental aircraft: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/vintage_experimental/
Flying area (severe) restrictions: http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/restricted_airspace/
It involves a real license, a real registration, and the right type of airspace and/or real permission to fly there - the DC area is rather rigid about folks flying in the wrong airspace.
Licenses et al: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/
Words on experimental aircraft: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/vintage_experimental/
Flying area (severe) restrictions: http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/restricted_airspace/
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Andrij
()
Date: November 08, 2010 02:57PM
Thank you mate!
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
strat
()
Date: January 31, 2011 12:06AM
You'll need at least a Private Pilot Certificate with privileges for the lighter-than-air category.
If you haven't seen this, check out http://www.personalblimp.com/
I'm acquainted with the inventor and am hoping the enterprise succeeds.
You didn't say where within McLean, so it's difficult to answer your questions exactly, but you are probably within the DC Flight Restriction Zone, which is the smaller region within the DC special flight rules area. In the FRZ, unless you're based at DCA, Potomac Airfield, Hyde Field, or College Park, you're probably out of luck as far as takeoffs and landings. If you're based at those, you have to go through a special vetting process and learn the procedures to prove to flight service, ATC and the interceptors that you're who you say you are.
Within other airports somewhat farther out, but still within about 30 miles, you have to follow some special transponder and flight plan filing procedures.
You might be able to get a waiver for a special event within the SFRA, but I'm betting for a flight within the FRZ all you'll hear is "no."
If you're not a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association ( http://www.aopa.org ), it is probably worth your while to join now. They have some discounts on training materials, discounted legal services, and some competitive insurance deals.
As a homebuilder, I'd also suggest you check out the Experimental Aircraft Association. While I think that most of the members are fixed-wing people, there are definitely all sorts of homebuilders and pilots in that group.
The AOPA site has a LOT of information on flight restrictions, NOTAMs and government advocacy.
Also, if you find a good lighter-than-air instructor, please let me know. I have always wanted that rating.
If you haven't seen this, check out http://www.personalblimp.com/
I'm acquainted with the inventor and am hoping the enterprise succeeds.
You didn't say where within McLean, so it's difficult to answer your questions exactly, but you are probably within the DC Flight Restriction Zone, which is the smaller region within the DC special flight rules area. In the FRZ, unless you're based at DCA, Potomac Airfield, Hyde Field, or College Park, you're probably out of luck as far as takeoffs and landings. If you're based at those, you have to go through a special vetting process and learn the procedures to prove to flight service, ATC and the interceptors that you're who you say you are.
Within other airports somewhat farther out, but still within about 30 miles, you have to follow some special transponder and flight plan filing procedures.
You might be able to get a waiver for a special event within the SFRA, but I'm betting for a flight within the FRZ all you'll hear is "no."
If you're not a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association ( http://www.aopa.org ), it is probably worth your while to join now. They have some discounts on training materials, discounted legal services, and some competitive insurance deals.
As a homebuilder, I'd also suggest you check out the Experimental Aircraft Association. While I think that most of the members are fixed-wing people, there are definitely all sorts of homebuilders and pilots in that group.
The AOPA site has a LOT of information on flight restrictions, NOTAMs and government advocacy.
Also, if you find a good lighter-than-air instructor, please let me know. I have always wanted that rating.
Re: What permits do I need for airships?
Posted by:
Good luck
()
Date: April 29, 2011 11:10AM
Here ya go - a free FAA seminar right up your alley!
http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=38489
http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=38489