A unique aerial spectacle caught the attention of central Alberta residents last week, prompting questions about a 20-meter airship sighting. While the sight of a Goodyear Blimp is not uncommon at sporting events, witnessing a solar-powered airship of such magnitude in rural Alberta is a rare occurrence.
The airship, equivalent in size to a school bus, was conducting aerial survey tests near Rocky Mountain House, approximately 200 kilometers southwest of Edmonton. The flight tests were carried out by a team from Cloudline, a South African aerospace company that manufactured the airship, in collaboration with their Canadian operational partner, 3 Points in Space Media.
According to Sean Adams, the founder and CEO of 3 Points in Space Media, the airship operates similarly to a helium party balloon. While airship technology has a long history, this particular technology, which integrates control systems with the airship, represents a new era in autonomous air travel.
Pre-flight preparations involve filling the airship’s envelope with helium and conducting diagnostic checks while the airship is tethered. Once cleared, operators release the airship for calibration runs before embarking on long-distance survey flights. The airship, classified as a remotely piloted aircraft system with automated flight controls, is instrumental in collecting data in remote areas for monitoring pipelines, power lines, and infrastructure.
Cloudline’s CEO, Spencer Horne, highlighted that the airship’s 40-kilogram payload capacity enables it to carry heavier camera and LiDAR sensors over greater distances compared to standard drones. Despite the advantages, crewed aircraft are still preferred for handling extreme weather conditions.
The collaboration with TC Energy aimed to explore the airship’s potential for gathering various types of data efficiently in a quieter manner compared to conventional aircraft. This initiative marks a modern revival of historic aviation, offering a blend of traditional airship technology with contemporary advancements.
The presence of the airship in the Rocky Mountain House area generated significant interest among locals, with many expressing excitement at the sight. The airship’s operations in various international locations demonstrate its versatility, yet such autonomous airships are still a rare sight in Canadian airspace. Future plans include cold-weather testing in northern Ontario to enhance the airship’s capabilities for sub-zero operations and Arctic conditions.