Unusual White Blimp Over San Francisco Identified by Authorities

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On Tuesday morning, a striking white airship was seen soaring above the San Francisco skyline. The massive dirigible was also visible from Oakland and the western side of Alameda, catching the eyes of residents just before 10 a.m.

KRON, a local news affiliate, identified the aircraft as Pathfinder 1, a colossal helium-filled airship developed by LTA Research. This aviation startup, co-founded by Google’s Sergey Brin, recently announced via LinkedIn that they had renewed the Airworthiness Certificate (AWC) for the airship. Unlike typical blimps, Pathfinder 1 boasts a rigid internal framework, which enables it to traverse more extensive areas.

In a LinkedIn post, LTA Research shared, “Today’s flight north to San Francisco marks another milestone in demonstrating our ability to maintain stable and controlled operations across the Bay Area.”

The company further elaborated in a news release, stating, “This regulatory approval permits the team to undertake longer-distance flights while upholding the stringent safety standards that are central to our testing program.”

Photo: Josh Palefsky/KRON4
Photo: Josh Palefsky/KRON4
Photo: Kerri Baker
Photo: LTA Research
Photo: LTA Research
Photo: LTA Research
Photo: LTA Research
Photo: LTA Research
Photo: LTA Research

Test flights like Tuesday’s are “designed to validate Pathfinder 1’s systems and performance under varied operational conditions,” the company said. Tuesday’s flight, which took the airship over the Golden Gate Bridge, marked “a memorable milestone and another step in our comprehensive evaluation of rigid airship technology,” the company added.

The massive Pathfinder 1, which has been described as “the world’s largest aircraft,” is bigger than the Goodyear blimp and is based at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View. At 400 feet long, the Pathfinder 1 would be taller than the Statue of Liberty if stood on end.

As of shortly before 11 a.m., the blimp appeared to have exited the air space around San Francisco and was approaching the South Bay, according to flight tracking website, FlightAware.

LTA Research said Tuesday’s flight over the bridge, “provided valuable information about the airship’s performance in the unique wind patterns and maritime conditions characteristic of the Golde Gate Strait.”