A Trip on the Zeppelin Eureka
(in the Bay Area)

Our trip started out with a preflight briefing, security screening, then a ride out to the private section of the Oakland airport. There, we watched the arrival of the Eureka airship!

Not to be confused with a Blimp, the Eureka has a rigid internal structure.
So even with the helium removed, it will retain its general shape.

Airship Ventures started operating the Eureka out of Moffett Field in November of 2008.
At 246 ft long, it is the largest airship in the world.

That's our pilot Katherine 'Kate' Board. She is the only female airship pilot in the world. I believe she's British.

Eureka's 2 main engines are mounted high above the gondola, attaching to the airship's internal bracing instead.
This reduces engine noise and vibrations in the cabin, and also allows for an impressively unhindered viewing experience.

The 3rd engine is mounted aft, where it drives 2 propellers. One helps control yaw (like a helicopter tail rotor), and the other pitch. The one pointed down in the picture can be swivelled upwards, where it acts as a pusher propeller during normal flight.

Airship Eureka has 2 doors, each with a window that opens. Yes, not only do they open in flight,
they encourage you to stick your head out there!!

As we head towards San Francisco, Alameda island can be seen on the left.

Here is an aerial view of the USCGC Bertolf, moored in Alameda.

Sticking my head (and arm and camera) out the window, I get this view... Yeah, it's pretty intense!

Directly below is the 880 Freeway (which we all know and love so much).
I believe that's Jack London Square towards the middle, and the old Alameda Naval station towards the top left.

Cruising at around 1000ft and 35mph, we got this amazing view of downtown Oakland, Berekely, and beyond!

With the engines mounted so high, you'd really have to make an effort to see it. Even with the windows open, it's more of a whishing noise, as the propellers cut into the air. Seen in the distance is of course, downtown San Francisco.

Here we are, flying over Alcatraz.

A picture postcard view of San Francisco, including Pier 39, and the Aquatic park.
Other icons like the Transamerica building, coit tower, and Bay bridge can also be seen.

The pilot and co-pilot's view.

Over flying Yerba Buena island.

An artsy shot of San Francisco, in almost monochome color.

Downtown Oakland. That crazy straight street? I believe that's broadway.

Lake Merritt is pretty darn big

The Oakland Coliseum parking lot is huge!

The Oracle Arena (where the Warriors basketball team plays) looks like a giant bulls eye that says to space aliens -
shoot me here!

The airship pilot uses the joy stick for primary directional control, and the computer figures out the rest (like how much to swivel or tilt the engines, and a host of other calculations). There are a also other controls available which can be used to adjust for trim and buoyancy if needed.

Actually shot this with a very slow shutter speed. The props don't really seem to spin that fast in real life.
Even though we were supposed to cruise at around 35mph, I think the pilot's GPS said we were going 45kt.
Max speed, which is not ever used, is 70kt.

An artsy shot of the airship controls.

The old salt evaporation ponds (between the San Mateo Bridge, and the Dumbarton Bridge) creates interesting color patterns, due to the different salinity and resultant algal and brine shrimp concentrations.

Just so there's no mistake, 'OAKLAND' is painted in big letters on the tarmac.

With all the passengers off, and a new load of passengers on, Eureka prepares to take off again.

I count my lucky stars to have had the opportunity to experience flying in an airship!
If you've ever wondered what it's like to float above the hustle and bustle, you owe it to yourself to try this out!

Want to look anything up?