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| lighter_than_air [2008-02-16 21:24] – 62.166.51.71 | lighter_than_air [2008-02-16 21:35] – 62.166.51.71 |
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| In 1995, Graham Dorrington (see links) flew a helium-filled airship ("Dirigible-4" with a helium capacity of 380 cubic metres) over Borneo's tropical rain forest. The dirigible was especially designed to have low noise to minimize wildlife disturbance and hence was powered by electric motors rather than using a noisy internal combustion engine. It was flown successfully thirty times and used usefully to collect pollinating insects as well as to count orang-utan nests in a forest area of about one square kilometer (see picture gallery). These pioneering efforts proved that controlled movement close to the forest canopy is in fact viable. On its penultimate flight the dirigible was soft-landed atop a flowering Merbau tree and rested there for twenty minutes, further demonstrating the effectiveness of similar platforms for canopy research. | In 1995, Graham Dorrington (see links) flew a helium-filled airship ("Dirigible-4" with a helium capacity of 380 cubic metres) over Borneo's tropical rain forest. The dirigible was especially designed to have low noise to minimize wildlife disturbance and hence was powered by electric motors rather than using a noisy internal combustion engine. It was flown successfully thirty times and used usefully to collect pollinating insects as well as to count orang-utan nests in a forest area of about one square kilometer (see picture gallery). These pioneering efforts proved that controlled movement close to the forest canopy is in fact viable. On its penultimate flight the dirigible was soft-landed atop a flowering Merbau tree and rested there for twenty minutes, further demonstrating the effectiveness of similar platforms for canopy research. |
| In 2004, Dorrington flew another electric powered dirigible (with a helium capacity of 480 cubic metres and powered by a state-of-the-art rechargable lithium battery) over the Kaieteur National Park, Guyana, while filming the documentary "The White Diamond".\\ | In 2004, Dorrington flew another electric powered dirigible (with a helium capacity of 480 cubic metres and powered by a state-of-the-art rechargable lithium battery) over the Kaieteur National Park, Guyana, while filming the documentary "The White Diamond".\\ |
| The White-Diamond: dir. Werner Herzog, 2004, 90 min. documentary. The White Diamond is about another Herzogian dreamer, | The White-Diamond: dir. Werner Herzog, 2004, 90 min. documentary. The White Diamond is about another Herzogian dreamer, |
| Dr. Graham Dorrington, as he explores above the treetops of the rainforest canopy with a novel flying device � the dangerous, helium-filled Jungle Airship.\\ | Dr. Graham Dorrington, as he explores above the treetops of the rainforest canopy with a novel flying device � the dangerous, helium-filled Jungle Airship.\\ |
| source http://www.dendronautics.org/page4.htm http://www.thewhitediamond.de/fotosdreh.htm | source http://www.dendronautics.org/page4.htm Scheurich and Dorrington in the "White Diamond", courtesy Margaret Wertheim, 2004. http://www.thewhitediamond.de/fotosdreh.htm |
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