The Goodyear Blimp Enters Its Next Century of Flight

For nearly 20 years, Michael “Doc” Dougherty has worked for the Goodyear blimp. The chief pilot and operations manager for the iconic airship is often at the controls, maneuvering one of the Akron tire and rubber company’s four blue-and-yellow blimps in the world.

“It’s definitely a unique job,” Dougherty says. “It’s such a unique experience, and not that many people get to enjoy that. A lot of people are surprised when they see it up close; they’re even more surprised when they see it inside and how modern it is, the types of controls we have, just the way the blimp looks, the experience it is.”

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Goodyear launched its first commercial blimp in 1925, and it has been flying its airships above game days and major events ever since — a noticeable, immediately recognizable advertisement in Northeast Ohio skies.

To celebrate its 101st birthday, Goodyear hosted “Bangr in the Hangr,” a party featuring DJs, mascots and photo ops inside Mogadore’s Wingfoot Lake Hangar. During the celebration, Cleveland Magazine had the opportunity to take a ride in the blimp and to catch up with Dougherty about his experiences.

Watch more in the video below:

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