In four years, the inhabitants of Bordeaux could see appearing in the air, coming from the north, a huge airship in the colors of the Flying Whales company. The young French company announced on Monday that it would set up in Laruscade, north of the Gironde capital, to produce its rigid airships for transporting heavy loads that can transport up to 60 tonnes.
[#Innovation] #NouvelleAquitaine is entering the era of #sustainable #merchandise transport.
Announced at #ParisAirShow 2019, #FlyingWhales will set up in Laruscade (North of Gironde), its first assembly line for # LCA60T (#dirigibles dedicated to the transport of heavy loads). pic.twitter.com/BJFfns4DJD
This project, launched in partnership with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, shareholder of the project, plans in the long term to create 2 to 300 qualified jobs to manufacture LCA60T, with a length of 150 m.
The first of these “Flying Whales” will be sent to the National Forestry Office (ONF), also a shareholder, for the logging of wood in difficult-to-access forest areas.
First flight early 2024
"We will consume 50 times less energy to move than a plane or helicopter, reported for the same tonnage transported," explained the president of Flying Whales Sébastien Bougon. Before adding that "the machine will load and unload hovering, over a port or a forest, through a front door. There will be no footprint ”.
Construction of the plant is slated to begin next year and project engineering is to be completed within 24 to 36 months. The first airship will be ready in 2023 for 18 months of testing, with a first flight by the beginning of 2024, the operational certification of the craft to take place by 2025.
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