What is the difference between an “airship,” a “Zeppelin,” and a “blimp?”
An airship is an aircraft where most or all of the lift comes from a lighter than air gas, rather than from the movement of a wing or rotor through the air. Modern airships use the inert gas helium for lift. Airships have a fascinating history in both general aviation and military aviation, including a number of ‘firsts’ such as the first circumnavigation of the globe by air. While externally Zeppelins and blimps look quite alike, and its not uncommon to hear people talking about Zeppelins when they mean blimps – there is, however, a significant difference. Today’s Zeppelins have a light, rigid metal and carbon fiber framework that is covered with a synthetic canvas hull, inside of which is the lifting gas. This framework allows the engines to be located where they operate most efficiently – on the sides of the hull and at the tail end of the airship, far from the gondola – providing a quiet, vibration-free ride. A blimp does not have an internal rigid frame. They maintain their shape
