Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Electric & Hybrid Flight Testing

Airship firm LTA Research scaling up for first flight

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson29th June 20223 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Airship
LTA crew members maneuver Pathfinder 1 inside the hangar at Moffett Field (Image: LTA Research)

Work to build the largest airship in the world is ramping up in advance of the first flight of its design, which could happen before the end of this year.

Founded in 2015 and backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research is building a 120m (400ft) long airship called Pathfinder 1 in Mountain View California, and its 180m (600ft) successor, Pathfinder 3 at Akron, Ohio. 

When completed, Pathfinder 1 will be the largest airship in the world.

According to media reports, LTA Research plans to fly Pathfinder 1 for the first time before the end of this year. The airship will be able to lift 28 tons, cruise at 70mph (110km/h) and have a range of more than
2,800 miles (4,500km). 

Denny Carter, chief engineer at LTA Research said, “You can expect some exciting things to happen with our first full-size airship later this year.

“Climate change is an increasing threat and natural disasters occur with greater frequency and intensity. Airships can offer an innovative approach to delivering humanitarian aid and reduce the carbon emissions normally associated with aircraft.”

LTA Research’s airship design was first revealed in 2020 after the company filed a patent application. The massive dirigibles are intended to carry both cargo and passengers and to deliver humanitarian aid during disaster response and relief efforts.

Manufacturing of Pathfinder 3 is yet to start at the Akron Airdock, although the company has assembled prototype framing there. Akron’s Airdock was used almost 100 years ago to build Goodyear blimps and US Navy Airships the USS Akron and Macon. The facility at Moffett Field in California was a blimp hangar and is one of the world’s largest freestanding structures, covering eight acres. 

LTA Research’s airships will use non-flammable helium as a lifting gas and a frame made up of 3D printed girders. 

“Our team has reimagined every component that is part of a lighter than air vehicle, from the engineering and materials to assembly and pilot training. One example is the materials used to construct the frame of Pathfinder 1, which is being built using carbon fiber reinforced polymer tubes and titanium joints,” said Carter.

Airship
An LTA employee installs a piece of flight hardware on the airship (Image: LTA Research)

LTA Research currently employs more than 65 engineers in a range of disciplines and is recruiting for several engineering positions, including test engineers.

Carter said, “Testing is a critical part of building the next generation of airships, allowing us to ensure reliability, mitigate risk and increase the safety of our airships. We welcome individuals who are excited to change the future of aviation to apply.”

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleIn this Issue – June 2022
Next Article Synthetic pilot training takes to the skies
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Electric & Hybrid

FAA approves certification basis for Ampaire’s hybrid-electric propulsion system

15th May 20253 Mins Read
Electric & Hybrid

ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation to launch UK hydrogen-electric cargo flights

14th May 20253 Mins Read
Flight Testing

Autonomous Black Hawk helicopter tested for firefighting

7th May 20253 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025

NDT: Robotics and software spur innovation

21st May 2025

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.