# Highlander, AKA "The Flying Butt" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166 "2015-02-20T04:17:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/21 "2015-04-21T00:39:29Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > This can all be avoided by simply calling it what the first photo suggests (to me, anyway) – “The Flying Butt” Obligatory [big ass hot air balloon](http://9laughs.com/big-ass-hot-air-balloon/) shot. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/22 "2015-04-21T01:41:04Z")
When it comes to giant bulbous aircraft, I like Pregnant Guppies. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/23 "2015-04-21T02:02:34Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > When it comes to giant bulbous aircraft, I like Pregnant Guppies. Ah, but do you remember the Pregnant Rollerskate? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/24 "2016-08-20T15:49:14Z")
Airlander 10 makes maiden flight:[Airlander 10, the world's largest aircraft, takes off for the first time - CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airlander-10-the-worlds-largest-aircraft-takes-off-for-the-first-time/) Serious question though: people have been proposing various airship/hybrid concepts for decades now, and it’s never come to anything. Remember that “faster than a ship and cheaper than an airplane” also means “slower than an airplane and more expensive than a ship”. What niche do people think this can competitively operate in? The various articles online mention the possibly to point-to-point delivery without needing runways or transferring cargo, but is there really a demand for such a service? Furthermore, a lot of commentators keep talking about the Hindenburg disaster as what ended the first era of airships. Actually the numerous losses due to weather were probably more of a factor: [List of airship accidents - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airship_accidents) (although the cause of every loss is not given, all entries not mentioning fire, burn or explosion are candidates, and presumably most or all post-1940 incidents) By definition a lighter-than-air craft weighs less than the same volume of air, so they will always be very sensitive to wind. Is this a deal breaker? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/25 "2016-08-20T16:40:49Z")
Since it’s clearly a female butt, it should be called “The Flying Buttress,” after the supervillain. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/26 "2016-08-20T20:17:20Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > According to this site: > > [The UK government wants to get this massive airship back in the air - The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8068763/airlander-10-helium-airship-uk-blimp) And no one’s mentioned [“James and the Giant Peach”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_and_the_Giant_Peach) yet? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/27 "2016-08-21T00:23:07Z")
Glad to see not only that this thread has been resurrected (maiden flight and all), but that people have taken to calling it “The Flying Butt”, as I suggested: [http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/this-flying-butt-is-a-revolutionary-aircraft/vp-BBvtYQl](http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/this-flying-butt-is-a-revolutionary-aircraft/vp-BBvtYQl) > **[The giant 'flying bum' aircraft flew for the first time today](https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/17/12524746/airlander-10-flying-butt-aircraft-hav-england)** > > The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts. > **[Bottoms up! Giant 'Flying Bum' airship takes maiden voyage](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/airlander-10-worlds-largest-airship-dubbed-flying-bum-takes-maiden-n633031)** > > The 302-foot-long "Airlander 10" is filled with 1.3 million cubic feet of helium, can reach an altitude of up to 16,000 feet and stay aloft five days. Also, it’s now “Airlander 10”, so we can ignore all those “Highlander” comments. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/28 "2016-08-21T01:07:43Z")
At least is not Blimpy McBlimpFace… ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/29 "2016-08-21T07:20:40Z")
One common suggested use: Extract logs from deep in jungle without needing roads. Yes, the question of “Why not harvest trees near the roads?” does arise, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/30 "2016-08-21T14:36:46Z")
> [@bump](#): > > …but overall,… I think he meant ‘on the whole…’ ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/31 "2016-08-21T15:39:13Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > At least is not Blimpy McBlimpFace… Hijack: can anyone tell me where the meme “Nouny McNounFace” originated? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/32 "2016-08-21T15:54:13Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > One common suggested use: > > Extract logs from deep in jungle without needing roads. > > Yes, the question of “Why not harvest trees near the roads?” does arise, doesn’t it? I guess because they’ve already harvested all the trees near roads? They already use [helicopters for logging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heli-logging). ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/33 "2016-08-21T16:46:14Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I propose “HMS Callipygian”. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > Since it’s clearly a female butt, it should be called “The Flying Buttress,” after the supervillain. “The Kardashian.” ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/34 "2016-08-21T22:57:56Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Hijack: can anyone tell me where the meme “Nouny McNounFace” originated? Read and weep: > **[Boaty McBoatface wins poll to name polar research vessel](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/17/boaty-mcboatface-wins-poll-to-name-polar-research-vessel)** > > NERC chief has final say and faces dilemma between credibility of the organisation and burden of public opinion ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/35 "2016-08-22T00:20:16Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Hijack: can anyone tell me where the meme “Nouny McNounFace” originated? According to [Know Your Meme](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/boaty-mcboatface), the closest precursor to “Boaty McBoatface” was an owl named “Hooty McOwlface” in 2012 through an online contest. Though it’s really a combination of two common ways to make a nickname or insult: “Something McSomething” has been around a long time, and also “SomethingFace”. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/36 "2016-08-22T15:42:04Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > By definition a lighter-than-air craft weighs less than the same volume of air, so they will always be very sensitive to wind. Is this a deal breaker? Well, it’s definitely a common airship breaker, as your list of accidents shows. ---
**Author:** ![Sario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sario/32/18580_2.png) [@Sario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sario)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/37 "2016-08-22T18:42:16Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Airlander 10 makes maiden flight:[Airlander 10, the world's largest aircraft, takes off for the first time - CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airlander-10-the-worlds-largest-aircraft-takes-off-for-the-first-time/) > > Serious question though: people have been proposing various airship/hybrid concepts for decades now, and it’s never come to anything. Remember that “faster than a ship and cheaper than an airplane” also means “slower than an airplane and more expensive than a ship”. What niche do people think this can competitively operate in? The various articles online mention the possibly to point-to-point delivery without needing runways or transferring cargo, but is there really a demand for such a service? > > Furthermore, a lot of commentators keep talking about the Hindenburg disaster as what ended the first era of airships. Actually the numerous losses due to weather were probably more of a factor: [List of airship accidents - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airship_accidents) > > (although the cause of every loss is not given, all entries not mentioning fire, burn or explosion are candidates, and presumably most or all post-1940 incidents) > > By definition a lighter-than-air craft weighs less than the same volume of air, so they will always be very sensitive to wind. Is this a deal breaker? One thing to remember is that for transporting goods airplanes and ships are basically on the opposite ends of thr spectrum. Airplanes can get stuff from point A to point B in hours to days, but cost a lot. Ships drop the cost to pennies per pound, but take weeks or months. There’s plenty of room in between to profitably operate an airship based transport business. As to weather issues, they are a concern but as the Airlander is not a true Lighter than Air vessel, it is more resistant to bad weather. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/38 "2016-08-22T19:41:48Z")
Sounds cool but I’m not optimistic. Pilots get really enthusiastic about all things that fly and often their love of all things that fly gets in the way of rational judgement. This will work! Sure, it’s niche, but it will work! All its capabilities: passengers, cargo, altitude, speed, distance, airtime; are mutually exclusive. Want passengers? Forget cargo, speed, airtime. Want cargo? Forget passengers, speed, distance and airtime. Want airtime? Forget passengers, cargo, speed etc. This is hyper niche. And they have to convince someone to pay them enough to build a fleet. There is a reason the US military dropped it. Oh my gosh, this would be perfect for disasters and stuff! this would be perfect for some antarctic explorers! Yeah, but who’s paying you to build a fleet of these things? If we get to the point where wind turbine blades simply can’t be transported any other way, there might be an opening for dirigibles customized for that. Customized. For one single purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/39 "2016-08-23T01:50:31Z")
> [@Sario](#): > > for transporting goods airplanes and ships are basically on the opposite ends of thr spectrum. Airplanes can get stuff from point A to point B in hours to days, but cost a lot. Ships drop the cost to pennies per pound, but take weeks or months. There’s plenty of room in between to profitably operate an airship based transport business. The Airlander’s speed definitely fits in between ships and planes: about 5 times a ship’s and a sixth that of planes. But it has a huge problem with cargo (or passenger) capacity: perhaps 0.01% of a ship’s, and only about 7% of an airliner’s (Airlander = 10 tonnes, B747 = 140 tonnes). So it’s going to have a very tough time paying its costs. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166/40 "2016-08-23T13:19:06Z")
**HMS Callipygian** works! Personally I would name it after hip hop masters **A Tribe Called Quest** ’s ode to gluteal shapeliness: [Bonita Applebum](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bT0gVTjZEFE) 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highlander-aka-the-flying-butt/713166.md?page=3)