BONUS - Discussion with Straightline Aviation

Up Ship! The Airship History Podcast

Delighted to share a very special bonus episode - a discussion with the senior management team of Straightline Aviation, one of the leading British airship companies. Straightline Aviation was formed by some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry so it was fascinating to sit down with them to discuss their significant airship experience and their objectives with Straightline as they work with AT2 Aerospace to bring the Z1 hybrid airship to market. The panel was formed of: Mike Kendrick, Founder and President Mark Dorey, CEO Jim Dexter, Director of Operations We cover a lot of ground in the discussion, including Mike's early days in balloon advertising and his work on Richard Branson's record-setting balloon flights, Jim's hairiest moment as an airship pilot (it's pretty intense!), Mark's ambitions for Straightline Aviation and the team's experience running the Virgin Airship and Balloon Company in the 1990s and early 2000s. We also talk about the features and benefits of the Z1 hybrid airship design and the challenges and opportunities of bringing a new technology to the market.