Eureka Sighting while working Helo Ops

I was out with the Coast Guard all day until late. We were working Helo Ops -- helping Coast Guard helicopter pilots and engineers maintain their certifications for basket drops and man-in-the-water drills. I did manage to squeeze off a few shots of the Eureka in between drops.

Here they are plus a couple of the Ops.

-- Michael Mattis

The zeppelin glided gracefully over the quad

As I was on my way to class at Stanford Continuing Studies, the zeppelin glided gracefully over the quad. No one seemed to pay much attention as it is apparently a common sight now, but I had to take photos of the sighting. I was a few minutes to class, but it was worth it!

-- Jill Clardy

The gorgeous Zeppelin lofting over our home during a Spring full moon

My 16-year-old daughter and all her friends came running into the living room screeming, "Look, look! Mom. Come look!" It was a lovely early spring evening during the full moon so I thought maybe it was the fantastic moonrise. No. Better. It was the gorgeous Zeppelin lofting over our home during a Spring full moon. Breathtaking.

-- Sandra Peterson

Bridgepixing the Zeppelin

Thad Roan sent us this wonderful treatment he did of airship "Eureka" and the Bay Bridge.

You can learn more at his page on Flickr, Bridgepixing Zeppelin by bridgepix, on Flickr

Over Stanford this Weekend

I went to walk the trail at the Stanford Dish on Saturday afternoon and I saw the airship over the bay. Then the pilot turned west and flew pretty much right over me. Bet it was a nice day for a flight.

-- Jared

Juxtaposition of the yachts on the bay, with the airship in the sky

This was taken shortly after we arrived in San Francisco in February from our 23rd story apartment in North Beach. It reminded me of a 'very slow' (and probably unsuccessful) escape attempt from Alcatraz. I really like the juxtaposing of the yachts on the bay, with the airship in the sky - all powered by wind/air.

-- Matt Voerman

Just seeing it slide gracefully across the sky brings a smile to my face

Today morning, I saw the Zeppelin inviting to "Fly with me". I remembered having seen it a few months earlier and being intrigued by it! This time, I made sure to note down the phone number. Just seeing it slide gracefully across the sky brings a smile to my face...I wonder how it would feel to really ride in it! Some day soon....

-- R Shah

Spring, and Eureka is in the air!

Spring, and Eureka is in the air! She's become a common, but welcome site from the atrium of our apartment building. The wisteria only adds to her beauty as she floats by.

-- Chris Humphrey

"Papa! It's the zeppelin!"

It's always exciting to see something unique flying in the sky. I was very excited to see your airship several times since coming back to the bay area late last year. Now I'm always on the lookout when I'm out and about and I've even got my 3 yr old daughter looking up. She saw the ship from our patio window one late afternoon and came screaming to me "Papa! It's the zeppelin!". I grabbed my camera and took this picture at 5:35 PM on Feb 20 2009 as it passed directly over our house in Foster City.

-- Jim Palmer

Over Apple this Morning

Flying over Apple in Cupertino this morning 3/24/09 about 9am. These pictures were taken from the 3rd floor on an iPhone. That's the Outback Restaurant in the lower left corner.

-- Rick Waits

Riding on a cloud

Thought you might like this one I took over the San Mateo Bridge on the way back to Moffett last night.

-- Jim Dexter (Airship Ventures)

A very popular photographic subject for the bus loads of tourists

I was up on Twin Peaks in San Francisco yesterday and took a number of shots of your Zeppelin as it flew back and forth across the city. It was a very popular photographic subject for the bus loads of tourists that were up there.

-- Dave Richardson

This sound was coming from the trees above!!!

We're in Mountain View about 4 miles from Moffett field. Out working in the yard last month, I became aware of the increasing volume of a leafblower sound - like a gardener was walking down the street.

Except this sound was coming from the trees above!!!

I had just enough time to madly dash inside and grab the camera before it again disappeared behind the trees....

Now I have a glimmer of what presence of the 1930's USS MACON was like.

Thanks!

-- Steve Neil

A pilots "dos-si-do with the airship"

It was probably 2 months ago, I was flying back from South County airport (I am a student pilot and I was flying a solo cross-country as part of my training). I was talking to the Moffett tower controller who gave me very clear instructions, twice, to stay well west of the field as the airship was coming in to land. I acknowledged I would do so. When I switched to the Palo Alto tower, that controller told me to "make straight in" which would have resulted in me turning directly in front of the airship. I replied I couldn't do that because of the airship, so he told me, "when able, make straight in" which I interpreted as fly past the airship, then make the necessary turn. The result was what a pilot friend called "a dos-si-do with the airship." Unfortunately I was alone and couldn't get any pictures, but as we turned around each other I had a beautiful view!

-- Brittany Sabol

I now still get excited everytime I see it!

I was walking in Bair Island (Redwood City)10/25/09 and spotted the air ship. Ran home to find out more information. I believe I was viewing the Bay Area's maiden voyage? It was thrilling to see. I now still get excited everytime I see it and plan to surprise my husband on his next birthday with a tour; can't wait!

-- samros mike

US Navy Ships with Mooring Masts

As zeppelin history, the US Navy had two oilers (tankers) equipped with mooring mast to permit the replenishment of the dirigibles MACON, AKRON, SHENANDOAH & LOS ANGELES at sea to extend their search range. The concept was that as the dirigible approached the oiler, the oiler would swing around and steam astern. The airship would then approach over the bow of the oiler and line up over the ship's hull; then when positioned the airship would send down hoses for fuel and water and food.

For some images, Google: ' USS PATOKA ' and scroll down to NH 73285 & 76379

-- Jonathan Barker, CAPT USN (RET)

Taken from my friend's place in the Oakland hills an hour ago

Taken from my friend's place in the Oakland hills an hour ago. Enjoy.

-- Michael Mattis

I see the Airship Ventures Zeppelin quite frequently

I see the Airship Ventures Zeppelin quite frequently, sometimes when it is flying over San Francisco, sometimes when it is flying near Highway 101 near Palo Alto, and I even happened to see the Zepplin when it was flying near where we reside in Half Moon Bay. The photo I am attaching is one I took when my husband and I stopped at Baker Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge on January 31, 2009. We had been standing at the beach watching the ocean and people for only a few minutes when the Airship Ventures Zepplin came into view. I snapped several photos of the Zepplin as it was flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. I am attaching one of the photos taken that day.

We love all the sightings we have experienced, and hope to see the Airship Ventures Zepplin for many years to come (and perhaps have the opportunity to ride on it one day).

-- sharon

It was a shocking sight!

I saw your airship while driving on Santa Teresa Blvd in San Jose on my way to the mall!! It was a Shocking sight! I will book a flight, it looks fabulous.

-- Theresa

Having lunch in the Mission Bay area of San Francisco

We were having lunch in the Mission Bay area of San Francisco on 2/7/2009 and saw the zeppelin cruising over the Oakland hills across the bay.

-- Ray

I looked up to see something that brought me back in time

I was sitting on my bed looking out the sliding door at our garden, facing the bay here in Hayward. I looked up to see something that brought me back in time. I was not alive to see the early airships but being a history buff I knew of them and all about them. Seeing you in the air was incredible!! I thought how great it is to see that flying with a blue sky behind it. I was not quick enough to grab my camera. I was transfixed by the Airship.

-- Ernie

From my apartment in Nob Hill

Saw the Airship Ventures Zeppelin from my apartment in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Pretty cool!

-- Kyoza

From Bernal Hill flying above San Francisco

January 31 - From Bernal Hill flying above San Francisco

-- sfmike

Flying North along the Santa Cruz coast Saturday

We were flying North along the Santa Cruz coast Saturday January 17, 2009 and spotted the Ship below us near Wilder Ranch. Beautiful!

Thanks!
-Linda

May you always be three mistakes above the ground!

I work in 475 Sansome, SF. Just saw the ship over Alcatraz. Googled the phone number, and here you were!

Fabulous!

Your web site that shows the position is great, but you really need to ping more often than every 30 minutes. Unless there's a security risk? In 30 minutes the ship is gone!

In the words of my CFII, may you always be three mistakes above the ground!

-- Dave Hildebrandt

I snapped these pictures via the Exploratorium internet roof cam

I snapped these pictures via the Exploratorium internet roof cam, while online at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA . Kinda surreal ...

I assume that it is your ship, though the pictures are not definitive. Your website indicates your ship in the area at the time of the pics. (30 Jan. 2009 23:00 hrs GMT)

-- Rob Kavanaugh

Saw it flying over San Bruno, Ca

Saw it flying over San Bruno, Ca. most likely in between El Camino Real and the Cal Train Tracks. It was cool seeing it.

-- Jorge Pineda

A nice, low view of the belly

I work near Moffett, so I got a nice, low view of the belly on 27 January!

-- Lyra

From the top of the Pacific Telephone building in SF at sunset

Jan 14th 2009 from the top of the Pacific Telephone building in SF at sunset

-- Henrik Kam

Saw the Zeppelin out over the ocean

Well I was sitting in my office saturday when I looked up to see the Zepplin out over the ocean and turning north back toward the peninsula. I was able to grab my camera and get out to the deck before you had gotten very far and capture a few shots of your return to Yankee Point. I wish it were allowed and I had had yours or Fritz' cell number and could have called to wish you good day and say how glorious you looked floating along above us. I waved but by that point I'm sure everyone was looking at points well to the north of this part of Yankee Point.

-- Larry Odle

I rode my bike over to the airport to take pictures of the airship after seeing it fly over my house

In this photo the Airship is at Marina Municipal Airport in Marina, California. I rode my bike over to the airport to take pictures of the airship after seeing it fly over my house. Mount Toro and Salinas Mountains are in the background of this photo.

-- Jesse Burgess - Marina Resident

Saw you in Monterey right before Christmas

Saw you in Monterey right before Christmas. My photos are here:

http://flickr.com/photos/elkit/sets/72157612696858654/

You're welcome to download and re-post them; they're all under a Creative Commons license.

-- Elke Sisco

While Pet sitting in Ladera

My mother has always wanted to ride in a blimp since she was young. She points it out to me whenever she sees it. We got lucky one day while pet sitting in Ladera and we had a great view of it passing over Palo Alto. I captured it flying over Stanford University and in the picture you can see the Stanford Chapel at the bottom. This is a meaningful picture to me because my grandparents were married in that chapel and my mother loves blimps!

Stacy Matherne

Looks like "Gentle Giant" had a busy day

Treasure Island Sightings 1/4/2009

Looks like "Gentle Giant" had a busy day on a beautiful Sunday as we saw it floating around the Bay while strolling around in Treasure Island.

Ganesh Katte
Santa Clara

The zeppelin over downtown from twin peaks

saw the zeppelin over downtown from twin peaks. this picture is from sunday, jan 4. do i get a free ride for submitting this pic? :)

-- kiet thai

San Francisco flight as the sun was setting

Dec 29th, approx 5:15pm. I'd seen the ship on the 26th, but earlier in the day, this flight was as the sun was setting. The first shot, with the contrail was just as the ship was making its turn out by the Golden Gate Bridge. I got a couple shots with the contrail and this one came out best.

The 2nd shot was taken 3 minutes later, when the ship was just passing by Aquatic Park. I took about 20-25 shots this time, and I picked this one because it was the only picture where the anti-collision lights had strobed.

During test flights of your ship, D-LZNT...

I took these photos at the Zeppelin base at Friedrichshafen, Germany, on May 28, 2008, during test flights of your ship, D-LZNT. These are the colour schemes it was using for the test period. Thes colour schemes were later changed for flights in Holland and London, before it shipped to California. (I was very lucky to start my holidays near Friedrichshafen on the same day as the first test flight on May 21.)

-- Terry McManus

I've always loved rigid airships and would kill to see one of the Hindenburg class

I was running errands all over Pacific Grove and Monterey and every where I went I could see the airship in the distance but never near where I was. Finally, I got out of my car to go into a Longs and looked up and it was right over me. Naturally my camera was in the trunk of the car for the first time that day and by the time I could get set up I could only get a some shots of it going away. I eagerly await a reappearance as I've always loved rigid airships and would kill to see one of the Hindenburg class in a modern (safe)form...

-- Elery Oxford

ever wonder what it looks like from inside?

Not too many shots of it taking off so here's one.

And ever wonder what it looks like from inside? Here's one of those too.

-- Michael Farr

just saw your airship over watsonville, ca!

just saw your airship over watsonville, ca!

-- patrick zwanzig

Something unusual in the sky...

Was driving home after dropping my husband off at work. I could see something unusual in the sky, looked like it was above San Jose or so, I live in Santa Clara, it was traveling to the East of me. Pretty cool to see. Wish I would have had my digital camera with me.

-- Laura Grandstaff

Saw your magnificent airship waltzing with a blimp

Saw your magnificent airship waltzing with a blimp in the general directrion of Stanford at 12:20p on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Awesome!

-- ed sterbenc

UFO like reflections

Out the office window with UFO like reflections of our interior lights.

-- TEG

Its the 4th time I've seen the airship and it's exciting each time

I was out for a walk during lunch and spotted the airship floating along 101 NB between Whipple Avenue and Holly St. It then turned and started coming southbound! It's alittle hazy so it wasn't a good picture day. Its the 4th time I've seen the airship and it's exciting each time.

-- Joyce

airship? or a model?

ok - real airship or a little model? you be the judge ;-)

-- Doug Humphrey

Hello Neighbor!

Hello Neighbor! Just one week after he got to help unveil the name of the Zeppelin, Owen got to see it fly right over his apartment building. A little while later while eating breakfast, Owen's parents were surprised to hear him shout "BIG!", and looked up to see the Eureka fly past their window. I think Owen is going to enjoy the weekends when you fly out of Oakland Airport.

-- Chris in Oakland

Flying a kite at Crissy Field

My 4 year old was flying a kite at Crissy Field on 11/16 and saw the Airship approaching. He was awed and a bit worried the Airship would tangle up in the kite string. He spent a lot of time pointing at it and being generally excited. You need to offer a special "kids rate" for tours.

-- Beryl Ness

The Stanford Dish is Beckoning

I've seen the beauty all over the bay area this past week! this time while running the dish at stanford. looks like the dish is beckoning the blimp! :-) look forward to going on a ride... soon!

Holly

The passengers look like they are having a nice time and enjoying themselves!

Another pass over my house, this time I managed to grab my telephoto lens. The passengers look like they are having a nice time and enjoying themselves!

-- joel henner

At the naming event at Moffet Field

I was at the naming event at Moffet Field. I've got a number of shots, but I liked this pano best.

Regards,

Mike