How Renting a Blimp Works

This web site is interesting for two reasons:

The Ron Paul Blimp

First it is interesting because it shows how innovative grass roots campaigns can get. But even better is the second reason: it explains how to rent a blimp! Here’s the core idea:

We have researched three airship/blimp companies and believe that we have found the best short term deal with an option to extend.

Two of the three airship companies we contacted had 3-12 month minimum contracts at a range of $225-$350K a month for various different features and blimps. Many airships only seat 3-9 people plus the pilots.

We contacted Airship Management Services and the president/owner, Mr. George Spyrou, enthusiastically returned our call and turns out to be a supporter of Ron Paul and wants to help us spread the word!

So, after much research on these companies we have settled on the Skyship 600 from Airship Management Services as the best airship for the Ron Paul grassroots supporters. Sporting a 12 seat gondola w/restroom and 2 porsche engines the SKYSHIP 600 measuring in at over 190 feet long & 60 feet tall is sure to grab the imagination and awe of all who lay their eyes upon it!! It also happens to be one of the largest airships in the world!! Nearly 2/3’s of a football field and almost as long as Boeing 747 this is the world’s largest flying billboard and can be seen from over 3 miles away!

Also:

For $350,000 we will receive a fully operated Skyship 600 for 1 month that is fully inclusive. A 20 person ground crew. This includes the artwork (normally extra of $50,000-$100,000). We will have a 1 month lease with the option to extend if this PR stunt is successful. Again, all airship companies have a minimum lease of 3 months and Mr George Spyrou is willing to do this for just 1 month with an option to extend because he supports Ron Paul!

Most importantly we will receive millions of dollars worth of advertising. How much does a super bowl commercial cost?

Where will this fly? Wherever it is needed the most. The Skyship 600 has a max speed of 65 mph and since it is helium it is very costly to deflate and transport therefore it will need to fly everywhere it needs to go. We will receive 100 flying hours for the month and we must strategically plan the most effective flight. Also weather forecasts will affect the route therefore the route will need to be dynamic. Overall we will seek direction and suggestions for the route at RonPaulForums.com.

The blimp is currently on contract with the United States Navy until December 1st and then it returns to its home base at Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Most likely we will fly it in South Carolina to begin with.

Clearly the Ron Paul folks are getting a deal here. But what it shows is that, if you have a spare $1 million, you can own a blimp for three months. For more info see How blimps work and this video:

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