Airlander 10 repair programme on schedule

Having experienced a heavy landing on 24 August, the Airlander is being repaired and is on schedule to fly again in the early part of 2017. The damage was confined to the external structure of the cockpit, and a new structure is being built. Extensive testing of all aspects of the Airlander continues throughout this period.

Over the past two months the team at Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd have been conducting a rigorous investigation into events that led to the heavy landing. These events are now well understood. Flight test by its nature encompasses risk and while the Company, like all aircraft developers, runs robust processes to mitigate these risks, events such as this do occur. Despite the hard landing at the end of flight two, the Company are very encouraged by the capability of the aircraft demonstrated in its initial flight tests, and by the performance of all aircraft systems throughout all flight operations to date. Airlander itself flew well and this has been recognised by customers.

The Pilots walked away from the landing unscathed.

The first two flights of Airlander 10 demonstrated the capabilities and efficiencies of Airlander 10. The Airlander 10 can stay airborne for 5 days and carry up to 10 tonnes, without the need of runways. This opens up the skies to a world of possibilities such as emergency response, search and rescue tasks and ultimately amazing passenger experiences.

A robust market for well over 500 Airlanders has been independently assessed which means the Airlander has a $50 billion market.

The innovative, British Airlander is a revolutionary prototype aircraft that is the first of its kind to take to the sky. The Airlander's Flight Test Programme will continue next year.