The Fujifilm Airship is one of the largest and most recognizable airships in the sky, the twin-engine blimp can hold eight passengers (including two pilots), and cruise at 35-40 MPH, 1,000-3,000 ft. above ground level. Normal cruising altitude is 1,200-1,500 ft. The Fujifilm Blimp is 197-ft. long, 66-ft. tall, and weighs approximately 16,000 lbs. It is lifted by nonflammable helium gas, and powered by two turbocharged Porsche 930 engines that produce 255 HP.
The blimp, which was first launched in 1984 in conjunction with the company’s sponsorship of the Los Angles Olympics, flies a total of 48 weeks per year throughout the country, and will clock anywhere from 20,000-30,000 miles annually – enough to circle the globe 1.5 times. The Fujifilm Airship travels with a 22-person crew that includes pilots, engineers, electricians, mechanics, and ground handlers. A 15-ton mast truck moors the blimp when it is not flying.