February 4, 1999
The German Luftfahrtbundesampt (LBA) awarded a Type Certificate to the ABC A-60+ Lightship, the most popular airship in the world. The LBA approved the A-60+ Lightship for single pilot flight day/night, in both VFR and IFR conditions on 3 February. Germany is now added to the list countries that have awarded Type Certificates to the A-60+ which include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and South Africa in addition to the United States. The A-60+ has been approved for operation in China, Japan and Turkey as well.
It was twelve years ago this month that Jim Thiele founded American Blimp Corporation. Today there are 16 of the well-recognized Lightships in operation, flying on every continent except Antarctica, 13 of the A-60+ model and 3 of the new A-150 10 seat Lightships. All but four of the ABC blimps are operated by The Lightship Group, a 50/50 partnership between Virgin Lightships, owned by Richard Branson, and ABC. Three more ABC airships will be delivered in 1999.
ABC is the only airship organization in the world that has scheduled manufacture of airships. Its headquarters are in Hillsboro, OR where the airships are designed and constructed in a 20,000 square foot facility. The final assembly and flight test is accomplished at an appropriate site near the customer's location. A marketing office for airship applications in government missions and civil aid is located in Severna Park, MD, near Washington, DC.For additional information please contact:
E. Judson Brandreth, Jr.
Vice President, Marketing
American Blimp Corporation
302 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146-1910
Phone: (410) 544-6507
Fax: (410) 544-6509
Home Page: www.americanblimp.com
E-Mail: Jud4Blimps@aol.com
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