How to Make a Remote‐Controlled Air Ship

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Get a large roll of mylar or plastic film.

   Leave just a small opening where you will inflate the balloon. ,,,, Do not overfill the balloon.
   
   Too much pressurized helium could burst the airtight seal and cause your airship to plummet and fall.
   
   Keep the helium/air pressure inside the balloon just high enough to inflate most of the way.
   
   The buoyancy of your balloon is reduced when compressed and will not have as much lifting power as it should. , Keep the heat gun, heater, hairdryer at a safe distance.
   
   If the heat source is too close it can melt the foil/plastic of the balloon. , You can choose from a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and color designs. , You can make a delta wing like a flock of ducks or the shape of a heart. , You can arrange them in many different ways to keep them balanced. , Keep the cords taught and short.
   
   Tying the balloons with the cord/tape strings as closely to the gondola and the frame as possible helps to maintain more control of the airship. , This is an option if you have a small budget and can't afford to make one that is larger. , Wind will drag the airship and make it difficult to control if weight of the drone is lighter. ,,, The Infrared Remote controlled mini-helicopters are relatively inexpensive and come only in 3 different frequency bands to choose from (A-B-C). ,,,,, Using a small scale to check the weight of each part helps maintain your vessel balanced and afloat.
   
   Every little gram/ounce counts as they add up in the end. , The more weight you add, the larger or more balloons you'll have to use. ,,,,,,,
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   Step 2: Cut a 4' by '8 sheet and fold it in half.

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   Step 3: Using an industrial-sized plastic bag sealer

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   Step 4: heat weld the two seams together creating a long cylinder.

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   Step 5: Seal both ends of the cylinder making it shaped like a U-boat.

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   Step 6: Carefully cut excess material along the seams

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   Step 7: making sure the seal is intact.

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   Step 8: Make more balloons the size and diameter that your design calls for.

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   Step 9: Purchase or rent a helium tank from a party or a welding supply store.

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    Step 10: Inflate the balloon with helium.

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    Step 11: Heating up the balloon with a hair dryer gives the helium/air more lifting power.

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    Step 12: Buy a pack/box of balloons from your local store or order online.

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    Step 13: Arrange the balloons in rows to keep a low profile and make them aerodynamic

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    Step 14: so the wind won't affect it so much.

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    Step 15: Tie the balloons using a long rod or stiff wire horizontally to keep the airship's platform stable.

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    Step 16: Prevent balloons from getting tangled by using double sided tape to stick them together.

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    Step 17: Get a mini-drone to make a small airship with just a few balloons.

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    Step 18: Consider that the smaller the drone/propellers that you use to power the airship

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    Step 19: the less control you'll have.

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    Step 20: Only fly small airships when the wind is low or keep it indoors.

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    Step 21: Secure the drone at the center of the ship's frame for balance and low center of gravity.

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    Step 22: Get a couple or more mini remote controlled helicopters with the same IR frequency to control using only one remote.

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    Step 23: Tie thin poly-carbonate rods to make the supporting frame and secure the copters.

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    Step 24: Tie each copter to each end of the frame symmetrically balanced to keep a low center of gravity and maintain good balance and directional control.

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    Step 25: Find lightweight material to make the cabin/basket for your airship.

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    Step 26: Use a Styrofoam takeout food storage container or cut a plastic/aluminum sheet from a beverage container and shape the gondola the way you like.

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    Step 27: Keep the weight of your airship as light as you can.

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    Step 28: Keep in mind that balloons can only lift the airship if it is lighter than the weight the helium/hot air mixture can displace.

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    Step 29: Shave off as much excess material that you can without loosing stability and strength of the airship.

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    Step 30: Anchor your airship to a fishing/kite line to keep it from flying off if there is a strong gust of wind.

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    Step 31: Select special occasion balloons with a message to your loved one or friends.

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    Step 32: Make your own banner with a message and tie it to your very own airship.

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    Step 33: Direct it and fly it for her/him and everyone to see.

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    Step 34: Send them a message to look up to the sky.

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    Step 35: Have fun!

Detailed Guide

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