The first full inspection of Airlander’s hull was recently completed by technicians from Hybrid Air Vehicles, Two technicians on top of Airlander. Source: Hybrid Air Vehiclesmanufacturer of the world’s largest aircraft.

At 26-m tall (around the same height as four stacked double-decker buses), Airlander requires great care and planning to be put into maintenance techniques.

Simple and safe rope access techniques were used to conduct this first annual check of the hull surface. Safety ropes are permanently attached to the hull and access is gained via power ascenders supplied by ActSafe.

No major problems were found and the aircraft passed inspection. The flight test program can continue, now that the viability of the access techniques, developed to make maintaining the unique aircraft routine, was demonstrated. The inspection marked the first time the access process has been used outside on the hull following development inside the hangar. This technique is reportedly crucial to enabling Airlander to demonstrate the ability to be maintained outside, without the need for a permanent hangar.