Goodyear Blimp Ride - One off the Bucket List

Jody DeVere -- Ask Patty — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:57:09 -0500

I was given a rare invitation by Goodyear to take a ride in the Goodyear blimp. You cannot purchase a ride: you have to be invited and getting an invitation is a rare deal. The pilot, a woman by the way, informed us that less than 1% of the American population has seen the blimp in person and fewer than 1% of those will ever get an opportunity to ride in it. Our trip was on the blimp "Spirit of America" which is based out of Los Angeles. It was a blast and one more item I can cross off my bucket list.

The Spirit of America was christened September 5, 2002, during a ceremony in Akron, Ohio. The name of the ship was chosen as a tribute to the patriotic spirit of the United States. Performing the christening was Mrs. Letitia Driscoll, mother of NYPD Officer Stephen Driscoll, who was killed in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept.11, 2001.

Four pilots direct operations of Goodyear’s California-based airship -- the Spirit of America: Jon Conrad, Pilot-in-Charge; Matthew St. John, Asst. Pilot-in-charge; and Senior pilots Martina Wegscheider and Kristen Davis.

In addition to the four pilots, the Spirit of America operation has a crew of 16 including aircraft mechanics, radio and television technicians, riggers, heavy-duty maintenance mechanics, ground handlers, and a public relations manager. Three support vehicles complement the Spirit of America’s operations, including an 18-wheel tractor-trailer mobile maintenance vehicle, a 22- person MCI bus, and a nine-passenger van.

The Spirit of America follows a line of California based Goodyear blimps (Columbia 1968-92 and Eagle 1992-2002) that have appeared in dozens of movies, including; Disney’s Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Condorman, and Flight of the Navigator. Other feature films are: Two Minute Warning, Black Sunday, The Junkman, Amazing Grace and Chuck, Oh God, Book Two , starring George Burns, Strange Days with Bruce Willis, the remake of Miracle on 34th Street and the original, Gone in 60 seconds. Television features included, ABC’s Generation, the Aaron Spelling Christmas Special, The Three Kings, HBO’s 1st and Ten, Disney’s Wish Upon a Star, Who’s the Boss starring Tony Danza, Pacific Blue, the final episodes of Cheers and The Nanny, Ally McBeal and most recently, HBO’s Arli$$.

The Spirit of America is based in Carson, California, between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.

Tire Safety, Green Tires and Fuel Savings tips from Goodyear:

Checking tires for proper inflation and tread condition is one of the most critical - and easiest - maintenance procedures. It doesn't take much time or sophisticated equipment, just need a good tire pressure gauge.

Goodyear-owned retail outlets and participating independent Goodyear retailers offer a service known as "Free Air," in which consumers can stop in without an appointment for a free tire check. This includes an inspection of the tread condition and tire inflation, with air added at no charge if the inflation level is down.

According to recent research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), not only do most drivers ignore their tires, most simply do not know enough about how to care for the tires correctly.

Goodyear recommends that motorists should check tire inflation at least monthly or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the owner's manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

In addition to proper inflation you can potentially benefit from increased fuel efficiency is by choosing a tire such as Goodyear's new Assurance Fuel Max. Available at Goodyear retail outlets since April, Assurance Fuel Max has a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. This helps to save 2,600 miles' worth of gas over the life of a set of tires.

Jody DeVere
President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com

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Goodyear Blimp Ride - One off the Bucket List