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Article: Blimp's eye view of the auto race a team effort
- Article from:
- Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
- Article date:
- October 8, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Photo gallery: Goodyear's the Spirit of America blimp
FONTANA - As the Spirit of America hovers 1,200 feet above the
Pepsi 500 race this weekend, capturing all 500 miles, many don't
realize what it takes for the blimp to arrive at Auto Club Speedway.
Based in Carson, getting the blimp into the air requires a pilot
and ground crew of 16.
From takeoff, six crew members are on each side of the cabinet
holding it in place, another four crews are at the mast and another
six on the outer edges holding ropes.
For a first-hand experience, Kristen Davis was in the pilot's
seat on a daily flight. As she moves the rudder, crews begin to push
the blimp away from the landing pad.
Shortly after, the crew ...