Welcome

Please join us to discuss practical approaches to developing and deploying cargo airship systems for commercial transport of goods and materials to meet the needs of remote communities and industries in Alaska and Northern Canada. Workshop participants will share from their experience in meeting the challenges of transport in northern regions. Airship experts will describe both the possibilities airship cargo transport offers, and the challenges of developing practical and cost effective heavy lift airship systems.

Workshop Themes
The workshop will bring potential users of modern heavy lift airship services together with representatives from the airship development community. Sessions will examine what the principal mission requirements need to be for heavy lift airships operating in northern climates. An introduction to the basics of airship technologies, regulatory issues, weather issues, the likely capabilities and limitations of heavy lift airships, and the current to near-term technology readiness of these aircraft will also be presented. Strategies for possible funding of transport airship development will also be examined. The workshop will conclude with the establishment of objectives for a larger follow on heavy lift airship conference in 2012.

Workshop Format
The workshop is intended to be a forum for the exchange of insights and information that will enable participants to gain an appreciation of the applications where cargo airships could serve an unmet need in transportation. Speakers will provide “a vision of the possible” that’s grounded on the fundamentals of cargo airship technologies, designs, and operations. Several internationally recognized experts will address various issues, and two discussion panels will provide opportunities for attendees to ask questions of the panelists. The workshop will conclude with working group sessions organized by interest areas. Emphasis will be on sharing requirements, opportunities, challenges, and solutions.

Audience
Commercial shipping companies, air freight companies
Airship companies and aerospace vendors
US and Canadian government organizations that employ cargo transport systems
Construction companies, resource extraction companies (Oil, Gas, and Mining companies)
Researchers from government and academia
Government agencies, Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Canada, military organizations
Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), humanitarian relief agencies