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HAV is planning a 200-hour flight-test program leading to certification of the Airlander 10 under UK CAA Section B regulations, and/or EASA regulations still under development. HAV has only 40 employees, but holds 21 patents for what it describes as a "disruptive technology."

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HAV received the funding through the EU’s Smart, Green and Integrated Transport Societal Challenge that aims to bolster European transport, specifically that which is resource-efficient, climate friendly and safe, the company says.

The funding will facilitate the development of a regulatory framework for EASA certification of hybrid airships so that it will be certified to a civil standard and away from the military specification that it was built to.
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It is now working to take it towards a first UK flight, while developing it to both a military and civil specification for different requirements, hence the work to take it to an EASA-certifiable standard.

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"We're delighted to announce further progress on the re-assembly of Airlander. We're now attaching "hard structure" to the aircraft. As this photo shows, the battens have been fixed to the rear lobe of the hull, ready to attach the first of the rear engines in a couple of weeks time. The battens, made of carbon composites, provide the rigidity and strength that is needed for the engine to fit onto the very end of the Airlander.

Lots of activity in the Hangar all the time - and we'll be continuing the work throughout the Christmas and New Year period, so only a short break for us here. But having an Airlander with a reasonable amount of the hard structure (meaning fins, engines etc) on by Christmas will be a great present for all of us and, hopefully, all of our supporters."

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Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd
Ground Crew Chief Required. Please pass the word! We are seeking a second ground crew chief to support its Airlander 10 aircraft. This is a long term appointment to support Alex Travell, in all aspects of running Airlander on the ground, in the hangar and out at the mast. We need someone who can ‘take charge’, manage a small team and operate within an EASA/CAA regulated environment. You must have prior senior ground crew/crew chief experience so please only apply if you meet these criteria! Please submit a CV and covering letter by 11 January 2016 to careers@hybridairvehicles.netless

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All the key parts that attach underneath the Hull are in place now - that is, the Fuel Module at the rear, the Payload Beam (where we can undersling loads from) and now the full Mission Module (which is where the payload - whether cargo, communications equipment or passengers - will go) and the voluminous cockpit.

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A groundbreaking aircraft, thought to be one of the biggest ever made, will be taking off for its first test-flight in the UK in March.
The Airlander 10, an aeroplane and helicopter hybrid invention, measures 92m in length, 43.5m in width and 26m in height.
Developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the aircraft has the ability to fly at 20,000 feet. But for its maiden voyage, it will be restricted to gliding within 15 nautical-miles of its hanger in Cardington, Bedfordshire, flying no higher than 4,000ft, no faster than 45mph and for no longer than two hours.
But if all goes well in the gentle test-drive, it could mark the start of a new era of passenger-flying, said Chris Daniels, head of partnerships at HAV.
“It’s absolutely in our plans [to transport passengers],” Mr Daniels told The Independent. “During the flight-test programme… we’re limited because it’s a prototype aircraft. Because it’s under flight-testing conditions, we cannot take passengers.”
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The Airlander 10, an aeroplane and helicopter hybrid invention,

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it will be restricted to gliding

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if all goes well in the gentle test-drive

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What are the key capabilities of the Airlander?
The Airlander is a new and revolutionary form of hybrid aircraft characterised by:
• An environmentally friendly benchmark for air transport & logistics (between 20% and 40% of the fuel
consumption and operating costs of equivalent traditional aircraft) at 20-40% of the speed
• Rotary wing functionality with fixed wing range combined with reduced operating costs or rotary wing speed without fixed wing ease of operation
• The ability to operate from land or water, snow, ice, desert - no dedicated infrastructure needed apart from a socking great big hangar like the one at Cardington to protect it from the elements whilst you work on it
• Payload flexibility – containers, infrastructure, cargo, people and combinations just like any other transport aircraft then
• An ability to revolutionise cargo delivery and land in most places, wherever required as long as it's not too windy
• Direct end-to-end transport of cargo, without transfer delay, even to inaccessible areas as long as there are people on the ground in those inaccessible areas
• Best in class platform for persistent surveillance Airlander 10 quotes 5 days and Airlander 50 just 4 days - by the time you get there it will be time to come home!
• Ability to double up as a Search and Rescue platform in hostile seas oh brilliant, at 80kts into a 60kts gale I will bee waiting a long time in those hostile seas for help to arrive!

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What are the ground handling capabilities of the Airlander?
The Airlander has much better ground handling capabilities and requires far less ground crew than a traditional airship. It can land like a conventional aircraft when heavy and can power itself down onto the ground when light. In addition, each Airlander is fitted with integrated mooring mast attachment. After landing, this is connected to a mooring mast so that the Airlander is free to rotate and face the wind, similar to a weather vane. This allows the Airlander to withstand winds speeds of up to 80 knots at ground level.
Cargo can be loaded and unloaded by crane, winch, ramp or scissor lift, depending on the configuration and type of cargo. Minimal ground crew are required: two for an Airlander 10 and none for an Airlander 50.

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