Goodyear to launch new airship

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company officials say its third and final new technology airship could be ready for its maiden flight in late June.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports the gondola that carries crew and passengers was placed beneath the semi-rigid airship on Friday inside the Wingfoot Lake blimp hangar in Suffield Township. Assembly of the airship began a year ago. Workers for Zeppelin, the German company constructing the airship, are expected to soon attach the gondola to the airship's "envelope." Engines that allow the airship to take off and land like a helicopter are expected to arrive later this month. The company's first new technology airship, Wingfoot One, initially flew in 2014 and is based in Florida. Wingfoot Two first flew in 2016 and is now based in California. Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 64,000 people and manufactures its products in 48 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.

Goodyear also is a leading supplier of aviation tires for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft. Operating a global business from its Akron, Ohio, headquarters, Goodyear manufactures new aviation tires in the United States and Thailand. For more information about Goodyear aviation tires, retreading and services, visit www.goodyearaviation.com.