Cargo Airships for Northern Operations Workshop
July 10 - 12, 2013

Alaska Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell, Cargo Airship for Northern Operations Keynote Speaker


Lesil McGuire, Alaska State Senator describing the potential
for economic development by use of advanced LTA systems

Michael Talesnikov, VP Augur Aeronautical Centre and
Dan Sullivan, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources


"Weather Impacts on Airship Operations in Alaska" presented by Dr. Ananthakrishna Sarma,
Senior Scientist, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

Bob Fowler, CEO AeroVehicles Inc., Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell, Ron Hochstetler, SAIC
and Dr. Ananthakrishna Sarma, SAIC

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - Organized by the Alaska Department of Transportation with the support and co-sponsorship of several universities throughout Alaska and in collaboration with the NASA Ames Research Center, the 3rd annual airship workshop brought together businesses and individuals from around the world who are interested in the further development of LTA technology. Focused on expanding on last year’s achievements and developments, the workshop focused on potential approaches and actions for creating incentives allowing for the development of a strong cargo airship business in Alaska and other Northern areas. International attendees included representatives from: Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Russia, Iraq, Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada and United States.

During the conference, Don R. Hartsell, Commissioner of the World Air League met with Lt. Governor Treadwell to discuss the State of Alaska's interests in supporting, developing and deploying LTA systems.

"Alaska could be a proving ground for new heavy-lift airships that would do the jobs that trucks and barges can't," said Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, one of the workshop's keynote speakers. "NASA and industry are joining with us again this year to see where this technology could help Alaska."

As program moderator, Ron Hochstetler from the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) recommended that a formal user group be established to represent potential airship service users for the purpose of making cargo airships a practicality. The discussions included identifying potential state and regional financial resources for the construction of hanger and cargo operations facilities throughout Alaska and the Northern areas.

The workshop concluded with attendees touring local air cargo companies and visiting nearby mining operations.

For further information on this event, please visit: http://event.arc.nasa.gov/airships/2013Workshop.



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