A new pilot

This week we emerged from our annual maintenance in the hangar, and not only did we have a successful test flight, but we also added a new member to our elite club. Rob Delagrange passed his FAA check ride flight. He did a great job and now holds a rare rating for a pilot: Lighter than Air - Airship Rating.

I'm often asked where a pilot can learn how to fly our blimps, and the answer is always the same. First, you must be a fixed-wing pilot with commercial instrument and multi-engine ratings. We also prefer our pilots to have completed a substantial number of flight hours in another airship. Then, we complete the training in-house. There is no independent "blimp school." All Goodyear pilots are certified instructors, and we have developed a rigorous course that can take up to a year for a new Goodyear pilot to complete.

Rob will be based in Akron, but he will fly with our Florida operation to the Talladega race next weekend before rejoining his crew.

It's a tradition for new pilots to be doused with water to celebrate. Since Rob couldn't celebrate with his crew in Akron, we wanted him to feel at home after his check ride here in sunny Florida!