The trip starts by getting on to Moffett Field - which has security at the gate, so have photo ID for each person to hand. Signposting is good - check in is at building 20. Coffee, juice and scones are available before departing - they don't understand tea. Here's the door to the building, which Airship Ventures shares with the Singularity University.

The logistics are somewhat like a boat trip or a bus tour - subject to weather, and requiring waiting and assembling people. Boarding the airship is like getting on to a boat on a moving dock - catch the handrails for the stairs as they move over the field, if there is any wind. Once in the air, the cabin windows are open, and people can move around - there are about 12 seats. The flying experience is like being in a big helicopter, without the racket - the airship is very maneuverable, despite being longer than a 747.

Boarding the airship

This model of airship isn't going to displace high speed rail, or make intercontinental flying more comfortable - speed over the ground is around 35 mph, and they don't take passengers in more than 20 knot winds.

Flight controls N704LZ

There's no commentary in the air - if you take pictures, be prepared to spend some time with maps later working out exactly what you were looking at.

Los Altos Country Club with 280 in the foreground

Downtown Palo Alto, University Av running top left to bottom right

Airship sized hangers

It's a fine way to get an unusual perspective on the locality. Remember that San Francisco very often has morning fog in the summer time - so if you book that tour, take one later in the day. Also be prepared to be called and asked to show up ahead of your scheduled departure time - since the flight before ours was canceled, that happened to us.

Background on the company and the airship

Cunning Systems evaluates product and service ideas in computing and communications. If you would like to discuss an idea, contact us at info@cunningsystems.com