Blimp will fly in 2001, Goodyear says

AKRON (Aug. 25)—Goodyear representatives have announced that its Stars & Stripes blimp will take to the skies again in early 2001. The Fla.-based ship, one of seven in Goodyear´s global fleet, was destroyed Aug. 17 at the PNE-Northeast Philadelphia Airport, after a destructive wind blew it into its mooring mast, puncturing and deflating its envelope. No one was injured. Goodyear spokesman Christopher Aked said repairs to the dirigible will be completed at its Pompano Beach, Fla., hangar by crew members with help from Akron operations engineers. The company still is deciding how it will fulfill scheduled Stars & Stripes commitments, which include professional and college football games. A leased blimp, helicopter or airplane may be used as a replacement, he said.