Airship do Brasil Indústria e Serviços Aéreos Especializados is using high performance Phillystran X-Trema Line rope in the latest development of its lighter than air (LTA) technology airship, the ADB-3-3. X-Trema Line is used within the airship’s envelope to provide the structural integrity needed to attach a crew and passenger gondola and propeller engine.

Having a maximum take-off weight of 8,900 lbs, the ADB-3-3 is 160ft long and 56.8ft high with a 21.6 knots cruising speed and top speed of 46 knots. The Helium containing airship envelope is a tensile structure manufactured in polyester fabric coated with polyurethane which assures material strength with low permeability and weight.

Internally the envelope features two catenaries in the form of curtains that act as structural components, distributing the gondola loads to the airship envelope. Cemented and sewn within the curtain’s coated fabrics, the X-Trema Line rope runs the length of the two internal catenary curtains each supporting nine thimble connection points for steel wires attached to the six person crew and passenger gondola.

“Increasingly airships are seen as a quick and convenient way to advertise and transport goods across Brazil, independent of traditional transport infrastructure or airports,” says Guilherme Leão, Aeronautical Engineer, Airship do Brasil Indústria e Serviços Aéreos Especializados. “X-Trema Line is a strong, reliable and long lasting element in ensuring the structural integrity of the gondola support structures.”

X-Trema Line

With a specific gravity of 0.98, X-Trema Line is Phillystran’s lightest and strongest rope so far, notes Mark Pieter Frölich, Commercial Director, Phillystran. “We’ve used a twelve-strand rope construction and Dyneema® HMPE (High Modulus Polyethylene) yarn to produce a lightweight rope that can take loads of over 1 million pounds. We’re delighted X-Trema Line is being used in the development of Brazil’s airship program.”

Airship do Brasil Indústria e Serviços Aéreos Especializados specializes in developing, manufacturing, marketing and operating aircrafts using lighter than air (LTA) technology.

Located in São Carlos, São Paulo, ADB is a 100% Brazilian company belonging to Transportes Bertolini enterprises.

KEY FACTS

X-Trema Line

• a twelve-strand rope construction using Dyneema® HMPE yarn
• a lightweight rope that can take loads of over 1 million pounds

ADB-3-3 airship 

• maximum take-off weight of 8,900 lbs,
• 160ft long and 56.8ft high
• cruising speed 21.6 knots
• top speed 46 knots

ADB is a 100% Brazilian company belonging to Transportes Bertolini enterprises.

Download Phillystran's case study on Airship do Brasil.