In studying aerodynamics of birds and how they use their wings, we see something that can help us in propulsion. We have noticed spiral, horizontal tornado type eddies above the wings, which increase a birds lift capacity, by way of suction. Tornadoes such air in and the birds wing along with it. This does not occur all the time in all birds wings, but we know it exists, in fact we have the same type of eddies on modern day aircraft.

I propose we use lasers to temporarily create mini tornadoes to suck blimps along. We can do this by using onboard lasers to blast and super heat the air. I propose using argon or CO2 Lasers as they are now available in systems not much larger than a common refrigerator thanks to the excellent technological advances of DARPA. I further propose to have internal tanks of CO2 and Argon Gas inside the blimp in separate compartments from the hydrogen inside the blimp. Now then we put a pole outside the blimp on the centerline in front, which will be used to create the mini-tornado, which will suck the blimp forward. The outside of the blimp will have a skin which twirls with fins which act as stabilizers and additional airfoil propellers to help it move thru the air this way the circular air created by the horizontal tornado will not roll the entire blimp.

Using these techniques we should be able to move a blimp forward quite fast and steer it by changing the trajectory by refocusing our laser beam. Think on this, yes I have drawings and although simple, will give you a better idea of this concept.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?