Over the weekend, Crowdcube #FundedClub member Hybrid Air Vehicle announced the Airlander 10’s maiden voyage was officially canceled due to a reported technical issue. The situation happened just a few days after the aircraft completed its first hangar exit.
Airlander 10 is described as a wing-shaped aircraft that can fly for up to five days at a time if manned, and for over two weeks unmanned. The aircraft can also reach speeds of 100 mph, propelled by its wing-shaped design, four engines and the 38,000 m3 of helium in its hull. The helium also gives it structure–it maintains its shape because of to the pressure stabilization of the helium inside the hull, and the smart and strong Vectran material that the aircraft is made of.
Last year, the London-based company launched its first equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube to raise £2 million for the Airlander. During the funding round, the company successfully raised 2.1 million and then returned to the crowdfunding platform nearly one year later and raised an additional £1.2 million.
According to the Associated Press, chief executive of Hybrid Air Vehicles, Stephen McGlennan, stated the Airlander experienced a “slight technical issue” and there was no time to fix the issue before nightfall. The company also revealed on Twitter.
During pre-flight checks yesterday a technical issue prevented flight in the available time. We are currently resolving this – will update.
— Hybrid Air Vehicles (@AirVehicles) August 15, 2016
Since then, the company has had a difficult time getting the aircraft off the ground due to weather.
The weather window is against us over the next few days, so First Flight will not be for a number of days yet.
— Hybrid Air Vehicles (@AirVehicles) August 14, 2016
Hybrid Air Vehicles has continued to update Airlander fans and investors through the social media outlet.
Hard at work on the #Airlander pic.twitter.com/5BGLOek4Mx
— Hybrid Air Vehicles (@AirVehicles) August 15, 2016
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