--- title: "This “Ultra-Safe” Aircraft Is a Cross Between a Plane and a Blimp" description: "Elgan Aircraft's \"Plimp\" is capable of vertical take off and landing, make it ideal for a whole range of applications." date: "2018-12-04" modified: "2018-12-04" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/ultra-safe-hybrid-aircraft-cross-between-plane-blimp" categories: - "Advanced Transport" tags: - "airship" - "blimp" - "drone" - "the digest" --- # This “Ultra-Safe” Aircraft Is a Cross Between a Plane and a Blimp ![Elgan Aircraft's "Plimp" is capable of vertical take off and landing, make it ideal for a whole range of different uses.]() *\Image: Egan Airships\* ## A Blimp in Time Airships have had a major public relations problem since the infamous Hindenburg explosion that rocked the world back in 1937. But it's finally time to put any safety concerns aside for lighter-than-air transportation. The blimp is finally getting a 21st century overhaul: Seattle-based startup Egan Airships is working on what looks like an ingenious idea for taking modern day aerospace engineering technology — and strapping it to a reinforced helium-filled pouch. ## The "Plimp" The end product: the "Plimp," or "plummet proof blimp." The Plimp is essentially a cross between a range of different aircraft: it has two stubby wings like an airplane, electric propellers for upward and forward thrust like a drone — and of course a massive body filled with helium to stay airborne. And it's capable of vertical take off and landing, or VTOL, unlike conventional airplanes. For now, we'll have to content ourselves with a small prototype — first shown off in [2017]() — that can only carry a payload of 5 pounds, for twenty miles, at 30 mph (48 km/h). ## Model J But Egan wants to scale things up for the Plimp's next iteration: the Model J. The Model J has far more impressive specs: it can carry up to 10 people for up to five hours, with a range of over 300 miles. And with a reduced payload, it can travel an impressive 1300 miles. The potential uses for the Model J are endless, from homeland security recon missions to surveying agriculture and crop loss prevention. Or just some plain old advertising, Goodyear-style. Egan also had some serious talent that came up with the Model J's design: renowned aerospace engineer Daniel Ramyer, who worked on the famous Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. I, for one, can't wait for the blimp to make its long-awaited comeback. **READ MORE:** [Hybrid airship startup builds ultra-safe, ‘plummet-proof’ aircraft with a catchy name]() \[Teslarati\] ***More on airships: [The World’s Largest Aircraft Just Took to the Skies For the First Time Ever]()*** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()