Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • ITEC
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • International Elastomer Show
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
    • 3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      Motion Industries rebrands as 'Motion'
      Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
    • New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      Arburg: 2021 Technology Days in June will run for 6 days
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      Arburg boosts electric machine business with AMK acquisition
    • Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
      Ace Products & Consulting partners with Wallace Instruments
      Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
    • WCCO task force navigates pandemic, expands communications
      ASTM cancels April meetings as COVID-19 continues impact
      Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
      Detroit Auto Show canceled; alternative event being planned for September
    • Tero Peltomaki named Cimcorp CEO
      Synthomer CEO MacLean to step down by early 2022
      ARP Materials adds technical sales manager
      Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
    • USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
      India decides against extending carbon black duties
      Hot topics at virtual CES: AVs, air taxis and drones
      Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
    • Editorial: Against a backdrop of turmoil, M&A deals give glimpse of normalcy
      Column: Pandemic looms over everything in life, business in 2020
      Column: Lessons from the 2020 Best Places to Work
      Editorial: Silicone hit hard by pandemic, expected to bounce back
    • Advancements in synchronous drive belt design for industrial and consumer markets
      Effects of multiple repurposed materials for reinforcements of standard rubber compounds
      Impact of peroxide blends on the cure rate and aged properties in HNBR
      Techniques to detect long chain branching in polymers
    • Rubber Division seeks abstracts for 200th Technical Meeting
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
      IEC speaker: Specialized elastomers may reduce spread of life-threatening pathogens
    • WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
      Rubber Division planning second Women of Rubber event
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Nova thinks outside the box with sealing tech
      New Products: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
      New Products: Lanxess launches energy-efficient PU elastomer
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
    • Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
      Ace Products & Consulting partners with Wallace Instruments
      Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
    • Bridgestone bets on guayule as alternative natural rubber source
      Synthomer CEO MacLean to step down by early 2022
      Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Select™: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Understanding and Selecting Performance Additives for Rubber Compounding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2020 International Silicone Conference Virtual Edition
      2020 ITEC Virtual Edition
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
March 10, 2014 02:00 AM

Out with old, in with new: Goodyear to unveil blimp

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    The "Spirit of Goodyear" has been retired, soon to be replaced by a new airship.

    AKRON—At the tender age of 14, the “Spirit of Goodyear” airship has been retired.

    The venerable blimp provided aerial coverage during the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 23 to mark its final trip.

    “It's reached the end of its life cycle. So, like most people, it went down South to enjoy its retirement,” said Doug Grassian, a representative from Goodyear.

    The airship was Goodyear's longest, continuously-operated airship. It went out on a high note: it made a rare appearance with another Goodyear airship at the Daytona 500.

    Since its launch on March 15, 2000, the “Spirit of Goodyear” has covered NASCAR races, as well as some of America's biggest events, Goodyear said, including the NFL playoffs, Major League Baseball All-Star games, NBA finals, the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes, U.S. Opens and NCAA football games.

    In with the new

    But as what happens with a retirement, a replacement is waiting in the wings.

    Goodyear is finalizing construction a new Goodyear zeppelin, an all-new airship at the company's Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield, Ohio.

    The new blimp is equipped with advanced technology for Goodyear and its aerial coverage. “The biggest difference is this airship has a semi-rigid structure,” Grassian said.

    Thus, the structure has a bit of a skeleton on the inside, unlike other Goodyear blimps. “It's all fly by wire. It's similar to what a helicopter might fly,” Grassian said. “The engines are vectored, and the landings and takeoffs will happen much like a helicopter does.”

    It is a completely different feel for the pilot and crew. They will train on how to operate the airship.

    Once in flight, Goodyear again will have three airships available, with “Spirit of America” in Carson, Calif., and “Spirit of Innovation” in Pompano Beach, Fla.

    “Goodyear's been doing this for almost 60 years now, and the filming that we provide for the networks is almost always superior,” Grassian said.

    He said Goodyear's “reputation really helps us” because networks know they can rely on the Akron-based tire manufacturer because they know it's going to be a quality show.

    Goodyear blimps have been flying since 1925. Mickey Wittman, known as the father of sports aerial broadcasting for his work in developing the Goodyear blimp's role in sports television, recently was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

    His resume includes broadcasting more than 2,500 live events, 30 World Series, 24 Super Bowls, five Olympics, 17 Orange Bowls, more than 200 PGA events, 22 years of Monday Night Football, 26 Major League Baseball All-Star games, eight Cotton Bowls, seven Rose Bowls, 28 Indianapolis 500s, 18 years of horse racing's Triple Crown events, 13 U.S. Open tennis tournaments, 20 heavyweight boxing championships, 300 college football games, 12 NCAA men's Final Four tournaments, 240 NASCAR races and hundreds of other sporting events and sports-related entertainment shows in North America and Europe.

    The blimps are very much involved in the big sporting events and other large events around the country that use aerial coverage, Grassian said.

    Long legacy

    Wittman's legacy continues as Goodyear covered more than 200 live events with its airships last year, including all four college BCS bowl games and the BCS National Championship.

    Goodyear's partnerships with the networks are long-standing. Sometimes the tire manufacturer will reach out, and other times the networks will seek Goodyear out.

    “We're always mindful of the sports schedules,” Grassian added.

    Once the Goodyear blimp is booked, he said the “networks really covet” Good-year's aerial coverage, so they are willing to give the tire maker what is essentially an on-air advertisement in exchange for those aerial shots.

    “We provide the aerial coverage, and for that they provide us a run of a blimp graphic once every hour that we are overhead, and in addition to that blimp graphic, the announcer reads a voice-over that supports Goodyear tires,” Grassian said.

    At least one pilot works every event. He said flying the blimp is physically taxing, so often for longer events, two pilots are on board.

    A cameraman also rides in the ship and receives direct audio from the director on the ground.

    “So when the director wants a specific shot, he's able to talk directly to our cameraman, who's able to deliver that shot in real time,” Grassian said.

    The cameraperson on board is a Goodyear employee, but the director is with the network.

    For one sporting event, there can be 30 cameras filming, and the director is in charge of all those cameras. Aerial footage from the blimp is just a part of that.

    “We hear all the time from people in the industry and outside the industry that if it's a big sporting event, you can bet that the Goodyear blimp's going to be overhead,” Grassian said.

    Goodyear blimps have been symbols in the sky for sports for years and have received recognition in their own right.

    The recently-retired “Spirit of Goodyear” will be decommissioned with a special retirement gift, Goodyear said: it will receive a Guinness World Book of Records achievement as the Longest Continuous Operating Airship.

    The new airship will get its chance to fly soon. It will debut in the spring, making a test flight in order for the crew to adjust to it.

    Goodyear aims for it to be covering events in mid-to-late summer.

    Related Articles
    Goodyear, French union reach deal on severance
    Goodyear wants to dissolve alliance with Sumitomo
    Goodyear to fully freeze pension plan
    CR tabs 5 tire makers for best choices in 2014
    Goodyear executives talk future
    Goodyear previews tire innovations
    Fortune recognizes Goodyear on 'most admired' list
    Goodyear unveils blimp, kicks off naming contest
    Video: Details about Name the Blimp contest
    Video: A look at the truck that transports new blimp
    A quick study on blimps
    Goodyear names 10 finalists for new blimp name
    Goodyear names new blimp Wingfoot One
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • ITEC
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • International Elastomer Show
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION