Goodyear Blimp at the Daytona 500
Behind the Scenes Tour
February 12, 2008

Goodyear Blimp at the Daytona 500

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The crew pose in front of the Goodyear Blimp that will fly over the Daytona 500.The blimp is 192 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 59 1/2 feet high.There is a fleet of three Goodyear Blimps. This one is named the Spirit of Innovation and its based in Pompano Beach Florida.FOX 35 Photographer Omar Isaac and Reporter Kristi Powers anxiously await their ride aboard the blimp.The crew getting the ladder out from the gondola. The gonodla is 16 feet long and seats 6 passengers and a pilot and yes it has a bathroom.Before take off the crew has to disconnect several tie downs.There are 2 ropes on each side of the blimp. Crew members have to steady the lines during take-off.The blimp is not silent. There are engines on each side.During take off the blimp does a steep vertical ascent.Chief Pilot of the Spirit of Innovation Blimp has been flying for 39 years.Flying south of the airport in Palm Coast at 300 feet.Flying south of the airport in Palm Coast at 300 feet. The blimp normally flies between 1,000 and 3,000 feet. It flew lower due to strong winds higher up.FOX 35 Photographer Omar Isaac filming some of the instruments including live radar and GPS.VIew from the pilot seat.Looking toward Ormond Beach and the ocean.Flying along the coast.Pilot Larry Chambers focuses on the most difficult part of flying the blimp...the landing.16 crew members get in place to grab the ropes and the side of the blimp to get the blimp in line with the mooring mast (huge orange and white pole)
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The crew pose in front of the Goodyear Blimp that will fly over the Daytona 500.



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