Basic Questions

There are five basic questions that we hope to answer in the EIC:

1- What would the modern dirigible look like? What is it's shape? For this, we need an aeronautical engineer.

2- What would it be made out of? What are the latest advances in ultra-light, ulta-strong materials?

3- How would it run? What sort of engines are the most efficient and most practical?

4- How would it be powered? What is the best fuel source for the modern dirigible?

(4b- As a bonus question, could it run on solar power? Could the top of the dirigible be covered in ultra thin PV panels?)

5: How would it be controlled? What sort of instrumentation is needed? Can it be controlled by an iPhone?

5- Finally, given the parameters set in these questions, how big would it be? What's the smallest size possible (possibly for research purposes, if not for toys)? What's the optimal size? How big would it have to be to carry 500lbs?

Those are the questions we're hoping to challenge in the University of Washington Dirigible Challenge.