“This 56,000 cubic foot thermal airship has been in my possession since new, it has 44 hours TT and.
Item specifics
| Used |
| “This 56,000 cubic foot thermal airship has been in my possession since new, it has 44 hours TT and is in EXCEPTIONAL condition. Stored and flown only in dry climates, it just passed a condition inspection on April 1, 2016 by an Airframe and Power plant (A&P) mechanic. N493JM.” |
| Make: | Colt AS 56 Thermal Airship, pilot only N493JM | Model Year: | 1987 |
It no longer has a "G" or British registration, it is now FAA and USA registered: N493JM.
I purchased this 56,000 cubic foot thermal airship directly from the factory in England in 1987. It came with a standard airworthiness certificate in the "Aerial Work" category from the CAA - the British equivalent to the FAA. For years I flew it under British registration and with my British pilot"s license. Due to changes in the European aviation world in order to get a British annual inspection - now that it is based in the US - was almost impossible, and prohibitively expensive. On April 1, 2014 it passed a condition inspection and on April 12 was assigned an FAA Special Airworthiness certificate in the Experimental Exhibition category. It could not be assigned a Standard Airworthiness certificate since it was never type certified in the US. N493JM now has 44 hours total time. It was last flown on April 27, 2014 and has 3 hours TT since the inspection. This is a factory built aircraft by a company that is still in business - there is no problem getting support or replacement parts right down to the last nut and bolt.
It is now registered in the US, therefore you MUST have a Lighter Than Air rating (either private or commercial) in order to fly it. You CANNOT fly it with a fixed wing or ANY OTHER rating. An airship rating is not required.
It is in spectacular condition, having been properly stored in our dry Arizona climate. I never wanted to sell it since it was so much fun to fly and such a unique aircraft, but the time has come to clean out the hanger and move on. I"m retiring from aviation after a 31 year career as a commercial pilot.
How does it fly?
Instead of using helium for lift it uses low pressure (3 psi) hot air to provide static lift. The hot air is supplied by a hot air balloon burner located above the pilot"s head inside the hull. Directly beneath the burner is a modified 3 hp 2 stroke engine that drives a five blade compressor fan. This provides constant pressure in order to provide rigidity to the hull. Behind the pilot is a 24 horsepower 3 cylinder 2 stroke German Konig radial engine (still in production!) that swings a 52" propeller - it is a "pusher". The pilot climbs by raising the temperature inside the hull. He descends by allowing it to cool. There is a small amount (20%) of dynamic lift that increases with speed. There is a rudder only. It is incredibly fun to fly. Every time I fly it I get a HUGE grin since it is SO unique. Top speed is 20 knots with a 1.5 hour flight duration before reserve. If you weigh over 275 lbs. this aircraft is not for you due to the amount of weight it is able to lift, according to the flight manual. I"m 225 lbs. and it flies perfectly with me on board. If you weigh much less adding weight is helpful and easy to do in order to maintain the correct amount of pressure in the hull. Many pilots are reluctant to fly two stroke engines. With platinum spark plugs and modern synthetic oil these engines are clean burning and dependable. Fouled spark plugs, sticking rings and excessive smoke are ancient history. These are exceptionally dependable engines and being built in Berlin says everything about the quality. Some of the best boat engines currently being built are two stroke - they MEET the strict CARB (California Air Resources Board) qualifications for low emissions.
If I buy it, how can I get my balloon pilot"s license?
I will provide a hot air balloon, chase vehicle, insurance, student pilot"s license and 10 hours of dual instruction for your private balloon pilot"s license here in Tucson. I have access to a perfect training facility (a large polo field). I estimate it will take 10 days. This is instruction to the point where you can safely solo a hot air balloon. If you already have a pilot"s certificate I"ll need to see a copy of your certificate before I start training. If you have other ratings it will be a big help obtaining your balloon rating since you are familiar with FAR"s and aviation in general. I"ve been an FAA certified commercial balloon pilot and instructor for over 30 years and have *done it all* in the lighter than air world, including flying 12 passenger balloons across the Continental Divide in Colorado at high altitude. After you receive your balloon pilot"s license I"ll instruct you how to fly the airship which will take approximately 10 days. The Operating Limitations for this airship specify that you ONLY need to have a balloon pilot"s license to fly it. An airship rating is NOT required. Please note that your living expenses, fuel for the balloon and associated chase vehicles, and paid crew expense (2 per morning) is not included. You will need to obtain insurance for the airship once you start flying it.
What can I do with it in the Experimental Exhibition category?
A lot more than you would think!
The following are some of the restrictions to the Exhibition category: 1. The pilot needs to hold an appropriate certificate. (In this instance a balloon pilot"s license, either private or commercial) 2. The aircraft must be inspected each year in accordance with the scope and detail of FAR 43 appendix-D. The inspection must be carried out by ANY A&P in accordance with the factory maintenance manual as specified in the operating limitations of the aircraft. The OWNER can do routine maintenance and minor modifications - but no major changes - like installing a new engine. I have an A&P here in Arizona that is familiar with thermal airships - he has flown them before. He is willing to travel for an inspection or you can bring it to him or find an A&P locally. A condition inspection for all intents and purposes is identical to an annual inspection. The difference is you can"t do an annual inspection on an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate like this airship. You can only do an annual inspection on an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate. 3. You may not fly over densely populated areas except for the purpose of takeoff and landing . There is no limit to how fast you can climb or descend. As long as you reach a minimum altitude of 1,000 feet above ground during your flight and then start a descent you are 100% legal. Your takeoff can be 45 minutes long OVER a densely populated area. Your landing can be 45 minutes long OVER a densely populated area. Since airships typically climb and descend very slowly this is not unreasonable. 4. The aircraft may only be operated for the purpose of exhibition, maintenance and proficiency . 5. Exhibition is defined as: attending a school or shopping mall exhibition, fly-in, rally, airshow, aerobatic competition, organized practice session or film production. The film production provision opens up flying just about any place or any time you want . This airship CAN be flown at night with proper position lighting - easy to do. 6. In other words, NO RESTRICTIONS WHERE YOU CAN FLY, EXCEPT FOR CLASS B AIRSPACE and only in the US. To fly in another country will most likely require the equivalent of a Letter of Authorization from the aviation authority and possibly other permissions. Generally speaking, other countries respect a US airworthiness certificate which will be their main concern: Is it safe to fly? 7. At the beginning of each year, the operator must submit a list of the events he/she intends to attend that year (a program letter) . The time and place you wish to fly can be changed at ANY time during the year. If you do not fly at an event you do not need to notify the FAA. 8. For any flights not listed in the program letter, the FAA must be informed in advance (even 5 minutes!) by E-mail from your smart phone, FAX or post card. (Inform, NOT ask permission) . If you decide at the last minute it"s a great day for your film production you go flying with a quick E-mail to the FAA, right from the cockpit. All you need is a ground person "filming" your documentary movie with a smart phone on video. It would make sense to print a narrative of the documentary and keep it on board in your flying documents. Yep, it"s THAT simple. As you can see from the above there really isn"t much restriction.
So aside from the extra notification - that is mostly just telling the FAA in advance where you plan to go have fun - the Experimental Exhibition category is a way to fly this airship in a legal way and have a unique certificate. I have a copy of the specific operating limitations which stay with the aircraft - they are just too long to incorporate here. Feel free to email me with any questions.
I would like more pictures.
E-mail me at RonKMiller at cs dot com for a link to a photo album of N493JM. Please e-mail me ONLY if you are a serious buyer, speak and understand written English or have a professional interpreter working for you. I quite frankly don"t have time to deal with dreamers or "looky loos." Sorry... if I figure out up front you don"t know what you"re doing or talking about (and I"ll know very quickly) I will just ignore you. I don"t have time to play games or entertain your flying fantasies. ;-)
Video - it was last flown on April 27, 2014. There are now 44 hours total time. Most of the pictures in this listing were taken on April 27, 2014. This is video from 2008, I do have current video from April 27, 2014 but prefer this since the current video is just raw footage.
It no longer has a "G" or British registration, it is now FAA and USA registered: N493JM.
Enjoy: (copy and paste into your browser)
(triple w) youtube.com/watch?v=IMXoQeEpuTQ&list=PL0CD1C4A3DBD717A1&feature=mh_lolz
(triple w) youtube.com/watch?v=qjmrtDjBDKY&feature=bf_next&list=PL0CD1C4A3DBD717A1
(triple w) youtube.com/watch?v=C2Vx97hUE8Q&feature=bf_next&list=PL0CD1C4A3DBD717A1
This will be the 6th "vehicle" and first aircraft I"ve sold on Ebay. My other sales over the years (Member since 1999 and 100%) have been pristine, collectible motorcycles. Here"s what the buyer"s of these bikes have had to say about me . All of these bikes were in absolutely excellent running condition - ready to license and enjoy:
"Superb transaction to the UK, excellent goods, my pleasureA1 ++++++++++++++++++++++ " Sep-14-06 (1973 Honda CB 350F sold to a buyer from England) "Exceptional motorcycle--this seller has the goods" Sep-19-06 (1972 Kawasaki H1B 500 triple) "Great seller. Excellent product. Very accommodating with Buyer requests." Oct-09-06 (1990 Honda GB500) "Thank You...I looked at the bike yesterday and I love it . Best original Ct-90 I have ever seen." Oct-29-12 (This buyer has over 600 dirt bikes in his private collection in the US - the largest in the world...)
(1972 Honda Trail 90 with 240 miles) Amazing Ebayer!! Great to do business with! Extremely honest & very helpful.A++ May-05-2014 (1979 Honda Trail 90 with 135 miles)
Current date: 2016-12-13