Last week, central Alberta residents were treated to a rare spectacle in the sky that left many wondering if they had indeed spotted a 20-meter airship. While the sight of a Goodyear Blimp at a sporting event is not uncommon, witnessing a solar-powered airship of similar size conducting aerial survey tests in rural Alberta was a unique occurrence.
The airship, approximately the size of a school bus, was being tested near Rocky Mountain House, about 200 kilometers southwest of Edmonton. A collaborative team from Cloudline, a South African aerospace company that manufactured the airship, and its Canadian partner, 3 Points in Space Media, carried out flight trials at the Rocky Mountain House Airport.
Describing the airship as akin to a helium party balloon, Sean Adams, the CEO of 3 Points in Space Media, highlighted its innovative technology that integrates control systems, making it an autonomous airship. The crew conducted tests with TC Energy to inspect pipeline corridors in the area, marking a significant advancement in aerial survey capabilities.
Pre-flight preparations involved filling the airship’s envelope with helium and conducting diagnostic checks while tethered. Once cleared, operators released the aircraft for calibration runs before embarking on long-distance survey flights. The airship, classified as a remotely piloted aircraft system with automated flight controls, proved efficient for data collection in remote regions, particularly for monitoring pipelines, power lines, and infrastructure.
Cloudline’s CEO, Spencer Horne, emphasized the airship’s payload capacity, enabling it to transport heavier camera and LiDAR sensors over extended distances compared to standard drones. Despite acknowledging the limitations of airships in severe weather conditions, efforts are underway to enhance the airship’s capabilities for such scenarios.
The research initiative, supported by TC Energy, aims to gather various types of data efficiently during flights, offering a quieter alternative to conventional aircraft. This modernization of historic aviation technology has sparked interest among aviation enthusiasts, bridging the past with the present through innovative applications.
The presence of the airship in the Rocky Mountain House area created a buzz among locals, with Mayor Shane Boniface expressing amazement at the rare sighting. The airship’s unique features garnered significant attention on social media, surpassing the interest generated by recent natural events in the region.
While autonomous airships are gaining traction globally, their presence in Canadian airspace remains limited. The next phase for the flight team involves cold-weather testing in northern Ontario to prepare the airship for operations in sub-zero temperatures and Arctic conditions.