Goodyear is retiring one of its three blimps to Florida. The Spirit of Goodyear will leave Akron Ohio Friday and fly south to join another Goodyear blimp in Pompano Beach.
Goodyear spokesman Doug Grassian says the blimp will be deflated next spring and its car – or gondola- will be donated to a museum.
“Like many Ohioans, the blimp is going for warmer pastures and the idea is that it will be able to operate through the winter months before we put it out of commission.”
The blimp, which was christened in March 2000 by NASA astronaut Sally Ride, has a top speed of about 50 miles an hour. It will be replaced by a new, semi-rigid airship with a top speed of more than 70 miles an hour.