Zeppelin LZ N07
New technology airship
First flight: 18 September 1997
| Engines: | Lycoming IO-360 with 147 kW/197 hp each |
| Length: | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Max. width: | 19.5 m (64 ft) |
| Height: | 17.4 m (57 ft) |
| Envelope volume: | 8,425 m³ |
| Max. take-off weight: | 8,040 kg (17,688 lbs) |
| Payload: | 1,900 kg (4180 lbs) |
| Max. speed: | 125 km/h (78 mph) |
| Max. flight altitude: | 2,600 m (8,530 ft) |
| Max. flight duration: | about 24 h |
| Range: | 900 km (486 NM) |
Swivelling propellers
Three propellers with a swivel angle of up to 120 degrees and a lateral fan, which is driven by the rear engine, enable best manoeuvrability and an unrivalled, smooth and economical flight. The capabilities of a vertical take-off, a precise landing, hovering on one spot and a backward flight are the unique flight characteristics enabled by the swivelling propellers.
Cockpit and cabin
The cockpit is a neat high-tech workplace equipped with latest avionics. "Fly-by-wire" control systems with a sidestick enable precise manoeuvres and relieve the pilots. A mission display is available as an option. The cabin can accommodate 2 pilots and up to 12 passengers. An adjustable cabin permits a quick conversion for the different missions.
Take-off and landing
The take-off and landing procedures, which are optimised by the swivelling propellers, require a ground crew of only 3 members under normal weather conditions. Advantages: lower employment costs and shorter "turn around" times. The nose is decoupled from the mast truck when taking off. When landing, the airship is self-manoeuvring with the propeller thrust into the desired position. In order to moor the Zeppelin, the nose line is attached to the mooring mast line and the Zeppelin is pulled towards the mast.
Envelope
Incombustible helium provides the required lift within the envelope that is made of high-strength multilayer laminate. The envelope has a slight superpressure of 5 mbar. Air bags inside the envelope, the so-called ballonets, keep the internal pressure constant in each flight situation and ensure highest safety.
Propulsion systems
Thanks to the inlying primary structure, the engines are mounted at the side and at the rear, where they can operate efficiently. The in-flight comfort in the cabin is not disturbed by the noise of the propellers or vibrations. Propulsion is achieved by three strong and established 197-hp aircraft engines.
Structure
The very stable primary structure is a lightweight with a weight of approx. 1,000 kg (approx. 2,200 lbs). It consists of carbon-fibre trusses in a triangular arrangement and three aluminum longerons that are tightly wound by aramid ropes. All main components, such as the cabin, tail unit and the propulsions, are mounted at this rigid structure. Thus, even in case of pressure loss, an optimal manoeuvrability is guaranteed.