The Resurgence of Blimps: Discover the Incredible World of Miniature Airships

You might think that the resurgence of airships and blimps is just empty talk. After all, these forms of flight lost public favor after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, being deemed clumsy, slow, and accident-prone compared to commercial airplanes. However, nearly a century later, a new generation of airships is preparing to take flight. Many of these airships have big ambitions, aiming to be a more sustainable option for transporting large quantities of goods, while leaving humans on the ground. Yet, amidst these grand plans, one company is dreaming smaller—South African startup Cloudline.

Cloudline has received millions of dollars in investment for its mini blimps. These blimps are just over 18 meters (60 feet) long and weigh only two to three kilograms (around four to seven pounds). The company is positioning them as an alternative to helicopters and other vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with payload capacities surpassing those of drones.

Cloudline has obtained the necessary approval from local authorities to commence airship flights in South Africa. In addition, CEO Spencer Horne reveals ongoing discussions with potential partners in Namibia, Mozambique, and Kenya to initiate operations. These airships, filled with helium and equipped with solar panels and backup batteries, have a maximum flight duration of 12 hours and can cover a distance of up to 400 kilometers (249 miles) at a height of 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) above take-off level.

The flight is completely autonomous, as each blimp adheres to predetermined waypoints. If an airship comes across an abnormality, it will redirect itself to a predetermined location and remain there until it receives instructions from a human operator, who can access its telemetry data.

Cloudline's airships are 18.2 meters (60 feet) long and 5.2 meters (17 feet) wide when fully assembled, with a small net weight once inflated, allowing for easy lift.

Courtesy Cloudline

Horne explains that the aim was to empower and establish connectivity among rural communities, addressing the persisting challenge of inadequate transport infrastructure in certain parts of the continent. While helicopters and airplanes have historically provided support to these underserved communities, their operational constraints, such as specific take-off and landing requirements, have limited their effectiveness. Additionally, their delivery methods, like air drops, often lack precision.

Horne examined the development of the drone industry during the 2010s, which brought down the cost barriers for aviation and witnessed their use in delivering medicine to remote areas of East Africa. However, current drones have limitations, particularly in terms of payload capacity. Increasing the payload requires larger drones, but Horne clarifies, "simply scaling up existing drones is not feasible." He explains that as the size of the drones increases, engineering complexity and manufacturing costs also rise. Moreover, too quickly adapting results in aircraft that rely on carbon fuels.

With a focus on attaining a substantial payload, clean propulsion, and vertical take-off and landing capabilities, the Harvard University graduate opted for blimps.

Cloudline secured its initial venture capital funding in 2019, and following extensive research, development, and prototyping efforts, the company is now gearing up to initiate its commercial operations.

CEO Spencer Horne says the airships can be used in a variety of contexts, including aerial surveillance using onboard cameras and other sensors. —

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Courtesy Cloudline

Connecting the continent

The recent report by Euromonitor International predicts that the gross domestic product in sub-Saharan Africa will double from 2020 to 2040. However, Christele Chokossa, a research consultant based in South Africa, highlights that infrastructure remains a significant obstacle to Africa's economic progress.

courtesy Brilliant Planet

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In countries like Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than 10% of roads were paved in 2022, limiting access. Chokossa suggests that airships could address this infrastructure gap by offering a unique solution. Compared to drone delivery, airships have the potential to carry larger loads, are more affordable, and have less infrastructure requirements compared to cargo planes. According to Horne, Cloudlines' current airship model can transport 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of cargo, with a goal of reaching up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds).

"The ability of companies like Cloudline to expand greatly depends on the complexity of regulations encountered throughout the continent," Chokossa comments. "Furthermore, it is essential to educate governments and potential users since airships are not commonly used tools in this region. Given the relatively low delivery costs, achieving economy of scale is crucial for profitability."

Cloudline's CEO declined to discuss pricing, stating that deals are tailored and based on the specific utilization of each airship. He emphasized that the use cases go beyond deliveries. The airships are equipped with cameras and other sensors, making them valuable for low altitude aerial surveillance (or deterrence) in anti-poaching operations. They can also be utilized for search and rescue missions, as well as surveying inaccessible infrastructure in remote areas.

The company says it is working on future airships with a payload of 100 kilograms (220 pounds).

Cloudline has established a partnership with various organizations and institutions in different African countries. For instance, in Kenya, Cloudline has made arrangements to assist in medical deliveries. Similarly, in Namibia, Cloudline is collaborating with UNICEF to facilitate medical deliveries and medical diagnostics, linking remote clinics to a central district hospital. In South Africa and Mozambique, Cloudline is deploying blimps for emergency communications as part of the UN's World Food Programme. According to Horne, these efforts aim to improve healthcare and emergency response systems in these regions.

Flying Whales

The company is currently enhancing its airship as its business ventures gain momentum. Horne states that they are working on improving its autonomy and its ability to adapt to different weather conditions. Additionally, Cloudline is looking into the possibility of using hydrogen to inflate future airships. Hydrogen offers slightly better lift than helium and can be generated in a renewable manner. However, it is important to note that hydrogen is flammable. On the other hand, while helium has been used extensively, it has its own limitations. For instance, its pricing has been unpredictable in recent years, and there are concerns about its long-term availability.

Despite the challenges in Africa, Cloudline is optimistic about its prospects in the revitalized transport sector and aims to overcome them in order to succeed. "Convincing people to invest in aerospace in Africa is a difficult task that requires time and effort," says Horne.

The CEO emphasizes that, unlike other airship companies that go through lengthy prototype phases for their larger crafts, he is prepared to introduce his product to the market. He states, "Our priority is to provide a service rather than developing something that will only be available in 2035 or 2040. Our focus is on bringing airships to the public."