Chapter 1 Section C & D

What is a dirigible?

An aircraft that can be directed or steered.

What does the word "dirigible" mean?

French for "to direct, to aim."

What two capabilities are required for a dirigible?

Power and directional control.

What is an airship?

A semi-rigid or rigid dirigible.

What is the difference between a dirigible and an airship?

A dirigible is non-rigid, while an airship is semi-rigid or rigid.

What does rigidity refer to in lighter-than-air aircraft?

How the aircraft maintains its shape or form.

What is a non-rigid aircraft?

An aircraft whose form is maintained by internal pressure.

What is a semi-rigid aircraft?

An aircraft whose form is maintained by internal pressure and a keel structure.

What is a rigid aircraft?

An aircraft whose form is maintained by a structure or internal framework.

What was added to some early balloon flights in an attempt to control them?

Wings and oars.

Which balloonist is associated with the wing-and-oar steering experiment?

Jean-Pierre Blanchard.

Who is associated with the first dirigible aircraft?

Henri Giffard.

What type of aircraft was the first dirigible?

A hydrogen balloon.

What powered the first dirigible aircraft?

A steam engine.

What was significant about the first dirigible aircraft?

It demonstrated directional and horizontal control.

Why is Henri Giffard important in aviation history?

He developed the first dirigible aircraft capable of directional control.

Who was Paul Haenlein?

A German engineer.

What aviation achievement is associated with Paul Haenlein?

The first internal-combustion-engine airship.

What type of engine did Haenlein introduce to airships?

An internal combustion engine.

Was Haenlein's flight free-flying or tethered?

Tethered.

Who were Albert and Gaston Tissandier?

French balloonists.

What contribution did Albert and Gaston Tissandier make to airship development?

They developed an electrically powered airship.

What type of power did the Tissandier airship use?

Electrical power.

Who was David Schwartz?

An Austro-Hungarian airship designer.

What was David Schwartz known for designing?

All-metal airships.

What type of propulsion system was used on Schwartz's airship?

An engine driving three propellers.

What happened before David Schwartz's airship project was completed?

He died before its completion.

Which famous airship designer was inspired by David Schwartz's work?

Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

Who was Walter Wellman?

A Chicago journalist.

What major exploration goal did Walter Wellman pursue?

Reaching the North Pole by airship.

Why were Wellman's expeditions significant?

They were among the first major North Pole attempts after Salomon Andrée's expedition.

What problem prevented one of Wellman's North Pole attempts from launching?

Engine problems.

What aviation milestone did Wellman achieve in the Arctic?

The first motorized flight in the Arctic.

What problem occurred during a later Wellman expedition?

The dragline was lost.

What happened after the dragline was lost?

The airship had to be towed back to base.

What major challenge did Walter Wellman later attempt?

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean by airship.

What mechanical problem occurred during the Atlantic attempt?

One engine was lost.

What communications milestone was achieved during the Atlantic attempt?

The first wireless message sent from an airship to shore.

Who provided a major airship competition prize?

Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe.

What was the goal of the competition?

Fly from the Aero Club of France to the Eiffel Tower and back within the required time limit.

Why was the competition important?

It encouraged improvements in airship performance and technology.

Who won Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe's competition?

Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Which airship did Santos-Dumont use to win?

Airship No. 6.

On which attempt did Santos-Dumont succeed?

His third attempt.

What improvements were incorporated into Airship No. 6?

A pinewood keel, aluminum joints, wire instead of rope, and an engine.

Why is Alberto Santos-Dumont important in airship history?

He successfully demonstrated practical, controlled airship flight and won the Deutsch prize.

Who was Count Ferdinand Adolf August Heinrich von Zeppelin?

A retired cavalry officer.

What was Zeppelin's primary concern?

Military aviation.

What kind of aircraft did Zeppelin want to develop?

An aircraft with long range that could fly in bad weather and carry bombs, arms, and aircrew.

What does DELAG stand for?

Deutsche Luftschiffahrts A.G.

Why is DELAG important in aviation history?

It was the world's first airline to use aircraft in revenue service.

What was the purpose of DELAG's airships?

Commercial passenger transportation