World’s largest aircraft is almost ready! 

Feb 29, 2016

Originally developed as a part of US army project which was abandoned in 2012 and later adopted by a British company that is now converting the aircraft and making a cross between an airship and an airplane for civilian use. Engineers at hangar in Bedfordshire are giving the finishing touches. The aircraft will make its debut test flight next month.

The world’s largest airship, 300ft-long (93 metres), nicknamed as the 'Flying Bum'. The first giant fin, which is officially called 'Airlander', has now been attached to the ship. Two fins are large enough to cover the playing area of a tennis court. The fin, measuring 9 x 11 m, was attached with the ship using a series of cables and clamps. The ship was filled with one million cubic feet of helium that can easily fill fifteen Olympic size swimming pools.

Bigger even than the Airbus A380, Airlander is the largest aircraft in the world. It produces 40% of its lift aerodynamically and 60% aerostatic lift. It can rotate its engines to provide an additional 25% of thrust up and down. It can hover and land on almost any surface, including desert, ice and water. It will be able to stay in the air for two weeks at a time, cruising at more than and travel at heights of up to 20,000 ft with a 10-tonne cargo.

Source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3464186/