Dragon Dream

Dragon Dream (FAA registration: N866ML[1]) is an experimental[1] lighter than air (LTA) cargo rigid airship built by Worldwide Aeros Corp as a half-scale proof of concept prototype for a design which the manufacturer calls the "Aeroscraft".[2] The development and design has been funded by the US government through the military Walrus HULA and then the "Pelican" projects.[3]

Not to be confused with Dragon Dreams or Rêve de Dragon.
Dragon Dream
Dragon Dream experimental cargo air ship
Role Experimental aircraft[1]
Dirigible
National origin United States
Manufacturer Worldwide Aeros Corp
Designer Igor Pasternak
Type ML866[1]
Construction number 0023[1]
Registration N866ML[1]

Design

The hull of the Dragon Dream has a flattened elliptic cross-section.

Buoyancy control is managed by pumping helium gas from the internal gas bag and compressing it into a storage cell, the reduction in lifting volume leading to a loss of buoyancy. The system can vary the airship's lift by 3,000–4,000 lb. The manufacturer uses the phrase "Control Of Static Heaviness" for this technology.

Specifications

Data from Aviation Week;[3][4] FAA Registration[5]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 6
  • Length: 266 ft 0 in (81 m)
  • Volume: 600,000 cu ft (17,000 m3)
  • Gross weight: 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)
  • Powerplant: 3 × Lycoming AEIO-540 SER Reciprocating diesel, 260 hp (190 kW) each

Operational history

The airship was completed in 2013 and, after extensive systems tests in the construction hangar, was granted an airworthiness certificate by the US Federal Aviation Administration in September 2013, following which some outdoor tethered trials were carried out. Shortly afterwards it was badly damaged when part of the hangar roof collapsed,[6] and the company sued the US Navy for $65 million in 2015.[7]

References
  1. "N866ML has Reserved/Multiple Records". N-Number Inquiry. FAA Registry.
  2. Trimble, Stephen (6 September 2013). "Aeros gains airworthiness certificate for new hybrid airship". Flight Global. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. Sweetman, Bill (15 October 2012). "Pelican Demonstrator Aimed at Airlift". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  4. "Aeros Tests Pelican Variable-Buoyancy Airship " 2013
  5. "N866ML". N Number Lookup.
  6. Pleasant, Tom (3 February 2014). "Aeros Struggles To Put Airship Concept Into Production". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  7. Niles, Russ (15 March 2015). "Airship Maker Suing Over Hangar Collapse". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
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