Fly-By-Wire Aircraft Toured The U.S. This Summer
Driving into Wittman Regional Airport at Oshkosh this summer, you couldn't help but notice the Farmer's Airship, which the company says is the largest in the world. The airship was available for tours on the grounds near the EAA museum during AirVenture 2011.
David Finney, a flight operations specialist for Farmer's Insurance, told ANN that the aircraft was on a nationwide tour with stops at communities all across the United States. It began in New Orleans, traveled east to Florida, then north up the east coast before turning west and arriving in Oshkosh the last week of July.
The Farmer's Airship is a Zeppelin, which means that there is an integral frame supporting the skin of the aircraft and its buoyancy system. The airship features fly-by-wire technology and three Lycoming IO-360 engines producing about 200 horsepower each, which are steerable. Finney said that gives the airship maneuverability reminiscent of a helicopter.
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