SolarShip: Hybrid Ariships with unlimited range.

A key feature that makes the hybrid airship so attractive is just how little energy is actually needed to get the ship off the ground. It is so little in fact, that one Canadian company is planing to power their new line of Hybrid Airships with the power of the sun alone. Solar Ship will be a small hybrid airship ranging from ultralights to truck size cargo haulers. However, unlike the military hybrid airships coming out later this year that will be powered by diesel fuel, these things will utilize their envelope to collect solar energy to power small electric motors that will push the ship so long as the sun is shining. This gives them unlimited range, at lest during the day.

The inventor is looking to fix the economic situation in Africa. His idea is that with unlimited range, these things can be operated by volunteers who will fly them from anywhere in the world to anywhere else in the world that needs humanitarian aid. He also believes, and I endorse this idea fully, that Africa's stranded of living can be dramatically increased by providing supply routs that utilize airships for year round cargo delivery. With unlimited range and no need to refuel he hopes that it will be easy for Africans who don't have any money to operate supply routs if they are given one of these airship and start making money for themselves immediately.

It's a noble idea, if everything goes according to plan they will fly their first prototype from Canada to Africa in 2013. Let's wish them the best of luck.