**Blimp launch information** (and new banner photo)

[Mckarnin]

I don't doubt you'd have to 'bust it' if a project like this really happens, like you've said in many posts. I object however to the statement that a banner takes MONTHS to create. I'll just take it you meant that as a way of emphasis. :o I'm sure a project like this would be very difficult to do

The manager of the blimp maintenance and manufacture department actually told us today that the banner creation and construction process usually takes months. Everyone at Airship Management Services is flabbergasted that Ron Paul supporters are coordinating a project this big and getting it done this fast and all while having never met one another. I think all the folks at this company are giving Ron Paul a good look after meeting us.

 

[RP4Pres2008]

Lacrosseus, how big of a staff do most of the projects you work on have and how much money do they make? When is the last time you started a business and managed a $400,000 project and got it off the ground 3 days-2 weeks after you were hired?


That's what we are talking about here.

Do we really need to hear this stuff, just ignore stuff.

You guys decided to turn it into a business, you decided on the staff, you decided to pretty much exclude the grassroots control ( to an extent).

Everyone knew, and still knows, that this is a huge project. But you guys started a company and now you are marvelling at the scope of the business project...amazing!

EDIT: BTW Mckarnin, do not waste your time responding to my rants, head to the more need questions

 

[Mckarnin]

Trevor and Elijah aren't even there?

This blimp was never going to launch on Dec. 10th, 11th, 12th etc.

More lies.

They waited to buy their tickets until we were sure. We first priced their tickets days ago. They are obviously able to get things done much more effectively and live more cheaply from home than at an airfield so we waited.

 

[Menthol Patch]

McKarkin,

What emergency measures will be taken to get the blimp to Boston by the 16th if it cannot safely fly there?

Half of the reason for the blimp was to have it in Boston. It would gather a ton of media attention and increase donations for the Tea Party!

Basically, the Tea Party will be weakened if the blimp is not present in Boston!

Can the blimp be deflated, put on a flat bed trailer, and driven to Boston? Then it could be reinflated and tethered to the ground.

 

[MozoVote]

Having participated in a startup business once, (also working long hours without pay for a while) - I admire what these folks are doing. Unfortunately, complaining customers and shareholders come with the territory.

I'm willing to give them a reasonable window of time to work through the glitches.

 

[Menthol Patch]

I'm willing to give them all the time they need as long as the blimp is in Boston for the Tea Party!

 

[kevin m]

Go Ron Paul Blimp Team

My, goodness, what a lot of negativism! I, too have been waiting impatiently, but give em a break.
Next payday, I will send them another few bucks.
I hope the blimp is a big success (it will be!!) and I hope the blimp gang makes a few bucks in the process, too. They have to actually live in the meantime.
This is the most fun thing to happen in politics in my whole life, I just can't wait for it to fly.
All you naysayers should go do something positive- our meetup group (41 members) has given out hundreds of slim jims, many hours sign waving, doing canvassing this week.
Qwicherbichin.

 

[Mckarnin]

McKarkin,

What emergency measures will be taken to get the blimp into Boston if it cannot safely fly there?

Menthol,

The blimp is filled with helium and does not deflate/inflate for anything besides major repairs. If the weather is too bad to fly it or station it in Boston (too much weight from snow or ice accumulation can cause it to lose lift and smash the gondola) we'll probably set it up somewhere safe at one of the related Tea Party rallies and broadcast each rally to the other.

 

[MozoVote]

Just added Menthol Patch to my ignore list. Hey! That really works.

 

[Menthol Patch]

I'm very positive. I see no reason they cannot get the blimp to Boston by the 16th! It's just a matter if they are willing to do what it takes even if they have to deflate the blimp.

 

[ReallyNow]

tracking number for the UPS package?

 

[Menthol Patch]

Menthol,

The blimp is filled with helium and does not deflate/inflate for anything besides major repairs. If the weather is too bad to fly it or station it in Boston (too much weight from snow or ice accumulation can cause it to lose lift and smash the gondola) we'll probably set it up somewhere safe at one of the related Tea Party rallies and broadcast each rally to the other.

How much does the helium cost? I know that we could start a fundraising effort to purchase enough helium ASAP if that is the issue.

We want the blimp in Boston for the Tea Party! Let us know what you need and the community will provide it!

 

[Man from La Mancha]

McKarin, maybe I missed this but when does the clock start for the 30 days of blimp rental?

.

 

[Mckarnin]

How much does the helium cost? I know that we could start a fundraising effort to purchase enough helium ASAP if that is the issue.

We want the blimp in Boston for the Tea Party! Let us know what you need and the community will provide it!

I'm not sure how much or where you would even buy that much. Helium is not flammable but it is very dangerous in that it can cause rapis suffocation in large quantities so I really doubt that's something they would play with outside of the hangar.

 

[Mckarnin]

McKarin, maybe I missed this but when does the clock start for the 30 days of blimp rental?

.

I actually added that to my list of questions for the owner this afternoon when I found out aboutthe additional delay.

I'll put out the info. when I know.

 

[Menthol Patch]

McKarnin,

I'm going to go do some research on helium prices and safety. Please stay up if you can so we can get a helium fundraiser going if we need to! Seriously, the blimp needs to be in Boston even if it has to be deflated.

 

[ronpaulblogsdotcom]

Menthol I still have not heard what you did for the campaign today... Come on I am curious. Ok I will start:

I worked on some state media databases and emailed them.

She emailed back and I sent her two more states stuff.

Then I worked on some Press Releases, and emailed the drafts to several people.

Then I worked on some new Wordpress themes that are RP specific.

Then I read like 5 of your posts.

Sooooo.... What did you do?

 

[Mckarnin]

McKarnin,

I'm going to go do some research on helium prices and safety. Please stay up if you can so we can get a helium fundraiser going if we need to! Seriously, the blimp needs to be in Boston even if it has to be deflated.

Feel free to do research but I think it unlikely. Also, there is no hangar in Boston.

 

[Menthol Patch]

Here are the specifications for the blimp.

SKYSHIP 600 SPECIFICATIONS
Principal Dimensions
Gross envelope volume 247,500 ft
Ballonet volume 26% of gross envelope volume
Length (overall) 59.0 m 197.1 ft
Diameter 15.3 m 50.9 ft
Height (overall) 20.3 m 66.6 ft
Tailspan 19.2 m 63.0 ft
L/D ratio 3.88
Gondola Dimensions
Length (overall) 11.67 m 38.3 ft
Width (overall) 2.56 m 8.4 ft
Main cabin headroom 1.92 m 6.3 ft
Main cabin length 6.89 m 22.6 ft

It looks like we might need 247,500 ft of helium.

 

[1000-points-of-fright]

Half of the reason for the blimp was to have it in Boston. It would gather a ton of media attention and increase donations for the Tea Party!

Basically, the Tea Party will be weakened if the blimp is not present in Boston!

BS, the Tea Party weekend and the blimp were two totally separate ideas conceived at two different times. Then one day someone said "hey, wouldn't it be cool if we could have the blimp in Boston for the tea party weekend.?"