**Katharine (from Ron Paul Blimp) couldn't access blog/Update***

[Menthol Patch]

Yes... the plan is to have the Blimp out of the hanger before 7:00am. This is why we have set a decision time of 2:00am. If we do not have the second banner in hand we will not attempt to mount it and risk being unable to leave the hanger for a day or more.

If we launch with one banner the Blimp will make its initial run then return on Monday to have the second banner attached... weather and wind permitting.

Will this initial run be to Boston?

 

[RP4Pres2008]

Will this initial run be to Boston?

I'm 99.9% sure they aren't going to Boston. Look how careful they are being with a possible 7-8 knots of wind. You think they are going to go near a massive snow storm?

 

[Tarzan]

8mph is the high end prediction too. 7 knots = just over 8mph.
I'm so confused. I wish some questions would be answered.

Maneuvering out of the hanger can be a risky business. Imagine a weather vane... then imagine a weather vane 200 feet long. The Blimp can pivot in the wind and strike objects near it. The hanger is quite large, but is well within the reach of an out of control Blimp.

The efforts of the ground crew would not be able to control this 200 foot weather vane once it was caught and taken control of by the wind. It could easily pivot and cause major damage and endanger the crew.

Have you ever been carrying a large sheet of material... then stepped around the corner and had it caught by the wind? This is similar to what would happen if the wind, even a relatively slight wind, were to catch and take control of the Blimp.

Or, image a kite large kite and how “mobile” it becomes even in a slight wind. Then picture the surface of the kite enlarged several hundred times and you can see the possible problems.

 

[Menthol Patch]

Maneuvering out of the hanger can be a risky business. Imagine a weather vane... then imagine a weather vane 200 feet long. The Blimp can pivot in the wind and strike objects near it. The hanger is quite large, but is well within the reach of an out of control Blimp.

The efforts of the ground crew would not be able to control this 200 foot weather vane once it was caught and taken control of by the wind. It could easily pivot and cause major damage and endanger the crew.

Have you ever been carrying a large sheet of material... then stepped around the corner and had it caught by the wind? This is similar to what would happen if the wind, even a relatively slight wind, were to catch and take control of the Blimp.

Or, image a kite large kite and how “mobile” it becomes even in a slight wind. Then picture the surface of the kite enlarged several hundred times and you can see the possible problems.

Is the blimp going to be going to Boston?

 

[Tarzan]

Yeah, its going to be close!
HEY TARZAN...
Is the decision time of 2:00am for the guys coming with the second banner?

The DT is for the arrival of the second banner. If it is not there by then attaching it will not be attempted as the process takes about 4-5 hours. Once begun the process of attaching the banner cannot be stopped or quickly reversed.

We will continue to watch the wind reports. But at this juncture the DT was selected as a safety point beyond which banner application would not proceed... unless there was some major change in the wind forecast.

 

[RP4Pres2008]

Maneuvering out of the hanger can be a risky business. Imagine a weather vane... then imagine a weather vane 200 feet long. The Blimp can pivot in the wind and strike objects near it. The hanger is quite large, but is well within the reach of an out of control Blimp.

The efforts of the ground crew would not be able to control this 200 foot weather vane once it was caught and taken control of by the wind. It could easily pivot and cause major damage and endanger the crew.

Have you ever been carrying a large sheet of material... then stepped around the corner and had it caught by the wind? This is similar to what would happen if the wind, even a relatively slight wind, were to catch and take control of the Blimp.

Or, image a kite large kite and how “mobile” it becomes even in a slight wind. Then picture the surface of the kite enlarged several hundred times and you can see the possible problems.

The last point is off because as surface area increases, weight increases...but ANYWAY! I hear you man. But when are you going to find conditions under 7 knots? I only see tomorrow having those numbers for like the next 5 days.

 

[Tarzan]

(edit: I was responding the Menthol Patch's 8 mph comment but several people beat me to it. So nevermind! )

Several people have also beat you to placing MP on their ignore list.
I did and it has worked wonders in getting rid of the junk posts.

 

[Tarzan]

The last point is off because as surface area increases, weightincreases...but ANYWAY! I hear you man. But when are you going to find conditions under 7 knots? I only see tomorrow having those numbers for like the next 5 days.

Normally yes... but remember, this is a helium filled, lighter-than-air ship and the dynamics change.

We are watching the wind very closely and will be making every possible effort to attach the second banner.

 

[ValidusCustodiae]

Or, image a kite large kite and how “mobile” it becomes even in a slight wind. Then picture the surface of the kite enlarged several hundred times and you can see the possible problems.

Yeah, when I was standing under it in a very very slight breeze, there were a few times that I had to duck to avoid being hit in the head by the passenger cabin. Even in almost no wind, it moves a LOT!

 

[blakjak]

again this thing has fail written all over it.

No, I'm pretty sure it has 'Ron Paul' written all over it... or at least all over half of it.

 

[Menthol Patch]

Then I will keep asking you until someone official from the blimp project answers: What is the latest on getting the blimp to Boston?

 

[RP4Pres2008]

Then I will keep asking you until someone official from the blimp project answers: What is the latest on getting the blimp to Boston?

Can someone just answer this guy already?

 

[blakjak]

I'm starting to wonder if there is even a second banner at this point.....

Well since its the very banner you're questioning that's causing the delays... this should alleviate your wondering of said banner.

 

[Tarzan]

Can someone just answer this guy already?

Many of us have placed him (MP) on our IGNORE list.

 

[Lucid American]

TARZAN: thanks for answering questions and keeping the info flowing. Here are a few direct ones:

1) When does the clock start on the 30 days?
2) I read about wind conditions affecting adding the 2nd banner, but judging by the pics of the first banner being added, isn't this going on indoors?
3) Is the team considering a Sunday launch to coincide with the Tea Party? Seems to me that would be more of a success than launching incomplete tomorrow (of course, that also depends on #1 above).

 

[LibertyForAll]

Can we please let the professionals do their job? If anyone here knows so much about blimpology and all that, you should already be at the blimp site volunteering your vast knowlege and expertise instead of sitting here criticizing the ones who are on the ground doing the work.

 

[patrick123]

Can someone just answer this guy already?

He's on Tarzan's ignore list. lol

Good job annoying the hell out of everyone Menthol! I hope you never get your answer.

 

[Tarzan]

No, I'm pretty sure it has 'Ron Paul' written all over it... or at least all over half of it.

The banner with the message "Who is Ron Paul" with RON PAUL in very big letters has already been attached. The aircrew will be making their best effort to present this side to the largest number of people during overflights.

 

[newbitech]

Then I will keep asking you until someone official from the blimp project answers: What is the latest on getting the blimp to Boston?

can you go over to the blimp website and ask your question there? Word is, they have their own blog now that allows comments. Its not a project anymore, its a business. Send them an email, call them, anything at this point would be more productive then spamming the Ron Paul forums.

 

[Ilhaguru]

You've obviously never been in either a blimp or a sailboat, then.

Very true. And I sail.

7 knots is pretty significant with something as large and light as the blimp.