I am a private pilot. On Saturday September 7, 2002 I was flying a Cessna 172 over Knox County on a sightseeing trip for a co-worker and his 5 year old daughter. We had just passed over Fredericktown, Ohio to view their Tomato Show celebration.

Then turning south to return to Knox County Airport (4i3) for landing we saw four (4) Goodyear Blimps in formation flying south. I believe they were enroute to Columbus, Ohio from the Goodyear facility near Akron, possibly to the OSU game at Ohio Stadium. We took some pictures from the air, and then giving the formation plenty of room, proceeded to Knox County Airport and landed.

After landing, the four (4) ship formation flew directly over the airport and we took more pictures of the formation from the ground.

I consider myself very fortunate to have witnessed this rare event from both the air and the ground and will treasure the memory always.

On Thursday Feb 28, 2008, the family was at Hartville Kitchen and Market Place. When we were leaving someone spotted the Spirit of Goodyear passing close by. We were able to take several really good pictures of the Blimp.

As we left we turned onto Rt 43 North and saw the Blimp again, and it appeared to be coming down somewhere. Then on the left side of the road we saw a sign that read "Blimp Base 1". We turned down the road and were treated to a sight that none of us will ever forget.

The blimp was practicing take offs and landings, and we were honored to witness the sight. We stayed for about 45 mins and took several hundred pictures and a few videos. Then the remarkable happened. After touching down the pilot made a sharp turn to the right and then turned around and came back at us in a straight line. He touched down briefly and raised just enough to clear the fence and went directly over our heads. EVERYONE CHEERED with delight. We would like to thank Goodyear and the Pilot for a wonderful experience.

My story begins when I was just a little girl growing up in Miami, Florida in the 1960's.

My mother always liked to plan interesting and exciting outings for me and my sister. At that time, there was a Goodyear Airship located on Watson Island which is east of Downtown Miami.

They offered rides at that time and my mother bought us each a ticket to take a most unforgettable trip...one that I remember to this day.

I remember holding the ticket in my hand waiting for the crew who were holding the Airship by ropes in order to get the vessel ready for boarding.

(At that time and at that location, there was no hanger for the Airship and everything was handled out in the open by a crew who wore Goodyear overalls.) So, up, up and away we went!

I remember watching the Captain in what I would describe as a wheelchair with big wheels while he explained how he steered the ship and how the ship could both ascend and descend.

I think about that ride everytime I see the Goodyear Airship in the skies of Southeast Florida.

It reminds me of the many wonderful things that my mother did for me and of the many memories that I hold dear to my heart.

Thank you Goodyear for making one of those memories possible for me.

Every year we vacation in Boca Raton, Florida. My fellow Vietnam Veteran and myself returned back to the world after nearly a tour and a half. Once we returned we met and married roommates in 1972 and 1973. My friend worked for Rinkers Cement near Boca and on our annual vacation Feb. 2007 he asked us if we would like to go on the Goodyear Blimp. That was a question that did not need asking because of course we wanted to go.

Well that February four of us went for a ride and I must say it was one of the most enjoyable and exciting things I have ever done in my life. We talked about it for the rest of our vacation. We then returned to Minnesota and in March he called us and told us he had a spot on his liver.

To make a long and sad story short he passed away the following August 3 days after his 30th birthday. We spent his last afternoon discussing the army, Vietnam, and life in general but the highlight of our discussion was still the ride on the Goodyear blimp. I would like to thank Goodyear, the professional Blimp crew and all involved for the beautiful lasting memories of my best friend.

I remember in the mid 60s, I was about 5 or 6, my dad took me and my brothers down to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, NE to see the Goodyear blimp take off. I thought it was the neatest thing I had ever seen. We went to my grandparents house afterward and when we were playing baseball in the backyard, the blimp flew over us - really cool.

Last time I saw it was 2002 when it actually flew right over my house here in MN. I scrambled to get my video camera and got some footage of it. Hope to see it again some day.

I remember flying down to Florida from boarding school in 1967. My father (and his new second wife) met me at Miami airport. I was 13 at that time. They took me around the city, and before the end of the afternoon, we were riding on the Goodyear blimp! Just one ride, and I was hooked for life.

We love the blimp noise! You should make it a downloadable mp3 so we can listen to it as we fall asleep. The engine's drone is by far the most soothing sound ever to fall upon our ears. Thank you Goodyear Blimp for starting off the new year the right way!

As a child (I) remember going to the Blimp Goodyear Hanger for Circus's, and being part of the Goodyear Family of workers both in the factory, the lampblack, and the office, an uncle. Many family members retired from THE place to work in Akron. Years later, my own family traveled to Houston, Tx, and (I) still recall the day the Blimp rode over the parking lot of the apartment complex. We ran outside squealing about the blimp so loud others came out to see the rare site. (I) was so homesick then, that my husband told me(I)should hitch a ride home with the blimp.

Many things have happened, and (I) came home to live back in Akron after ten years. Today (I) recognize the sound of the Blimp as it hovers over the top of my house.(I) smile when (I) hear it coming and always go outside to watch it. Since then, alot of family members have passed,(I)joke that the Blimp haunts me. Cause it hovers when (I) need it to the most. To me its just one thing that Akronites take for granted, since that is the one of the biggest things you miss when leaving Akron.
lol literally.

For years as a kid I watched the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of Akron when it was in town for Ohio State football games. I always marveled at the blimp and dreamt of flying on it someday.... that wish came true for me when I was 6 years old. It was an experience I will never forget, taking off above Wingfoot Lake, flying over the Akron airdock, over the Goodyear Headquarters, and elsewhere in Akron.

The experience will always have a special place in my heart and is the driving force as to why I am an aviation major in college now, hopefully someday flying for Goodyear.

As a lifelong resident of Akron I love seeing the blimps fly.

I remember a time when we didn't have any blimps except for special occasions as they were based in Florida, California, and Texas. I always looked forward to seeing the blimps overhead and also at the Airdock at Akron Airport and now at Wingfoot Lake.

I have been fortunate to see three christenings of blimps and will attend more when the time comes.

Its a feeling of awe to see the hanger doors open and see the blimp roll out and take off. Its the same feeling to see it land and roll back in and close doors too.

Just to watch the crews ready the blimp to take off or land is something else as well.

I rode on the Columbia in 1973 - I was 8 yrs old. It was a complete surprise; my Mom and Dad pulled me out of school and I had no idea what for, or where we were going.

We pulled up to the airfield in Carson City, and at first I thought we had just come to watch the blimp take off and land. But, to my shock and amazement, a ground crew member came up to us and said, "time to board." As the crewman lifted me into the gondola, I banged my shin against the hand rail and it hurt really bad. I quickly forgot about the pain though as I took my seat in the rear of the cabin next to the window. During takeoff I was amazed by the noise, vibration, and steep climb of the airship - she seemed to be pointing straight up into the air. Once we leveled off, I enjoyed the view of Long Beach harbor and the surrounding area. My grandfather was along for the ride as well and got to sit with the chief pilot, Capt. Tom Matus. The next day back at school, none of my classmates believed me when I told them I had a ride in the Goodyear blimp.

My grandfather, Tom Robinette (may he rest in peace) was involved in the production of the first blimp. I still have fond memories of going for a ride on it with him back in 1966 - I was 3 years old. I sat on his lap and looked down at all the sights below. To this day when I see one of the air ships all the memories come back and put a smile on my face!

I was living in Newark, OH {near Columbus, OH} and I had only seen the Blimp on TV, that was until a OSU foot ball game. The game was over and I was out in the yard doing some picking up.

I heard this strange sound and could not figure out what it was. That was until this huge ship flew over. I ran into the house and had all of my family come out to see it. We watched until it turned north heading home to Akron.

I did not see it again until 2002 when I moved to the Akron/Canton area. I now get to see it a few times a week, but that does not mean that I am not less impressed. I love the site of a blimp "just hanging in the air".

My new goal is to see these ships being put in or taken out of the hanger. I have even parked near the hanger for hours and hoped to see this, maybe someday I will get lucky.

I remember in 1975 The Goodyear Blimp America came to Watertown,N.Y. I was 12 years old. Dexter is a very small town so it was a beautiful sight for us to see. I remember being so amazed, I was just in awe of how beautiful it was. I will never forget that day. I still have the booklet from that day also. The crew from the airship were handing them out. That was 32 years ago. I still treasure that booklet and the memories.

The reason for this story is the Goodyear blimp is making another stop today 1 Aug 07 at the Watertown Airport. I wish I could take the time off from my work to see it. The Memories...Thank You Goodyear.

During the late 1940's in Yuma, Arizona my father Frank Hobart was associated with the Goodyear Service Store in Yuma.

A Blimp came to Yuma I think it was the Columbia but could be wrong. My Dad was given a chance to ride on the Blimp. He came home and told us abut the trip. I remember that I was very mad at him for not taking me. I was probably 11 or 12 at the time.

Have looked at the blimps ever since and think of the time Dad had his ride and I did not.

Teaching at Goodyear Middle School I have grown fond of the Blimp. My class consists of 10 students with multiple disabilities and the adults that work with us.

My students can hear the blimp when it is near and will ask if they can go look for it. I almost always say yes. The blimp is a symbol of hope and pride to many but especially to us. Watching it soar upon the air represents the heights we can reach if we can make the commitment to learning. I always joke with them that one day I will take them on a blimp ride just so they can see how beautiful it is at the top.

The climb may be hard but the end result is always worth the effort. Many of my students have begun that climb and in the three years I have them I hope they will see the beauty that lies before them. In the next few years we will lose our school and become a part of East High School. Even though we may no longer be the Goodyear Wingfoots, I hope that my students never forget how high they can soar if they only dare to achieve.

I recently discovered some old pictures that my mother had. (She died in 2003 at the age of 103.)

One of the pictures was of the dirigible, the USS Akron above the house next door to us on Greenwood Ave. On the back mother had written, "Akron on her maiden flight". That would have been on September 23, 1931. The airship was probably at 1000 feet, and by standing in approximately the same area and comparing it with the roof of the house, you can visualize how big it was. It was huge. I was only 3 at the time, but I distinctly remember it and remembered that a picture had been taken .

I thought that the picture was long gone and was pleasantly surprised when I found it. Although this is not a blimp story it is about lighter than air and the great airships which were built by Goodyear.

47 years ago, when The Goodyear Blimp landed on Watson Island on Miami Beach, my father was a City of Miami Policeman and going to school at night to be a lawyer.

One day, our family was driving by the blimp, and my Dad said that when he passed the American Bar, he would take his three daughters on the blimp. Rides were then $5.00 a person-a hefty price for our family at that time. My Dad passed the Bar and true to his word, he took myself and my two older sisters. My Mom didn't go. I asked her why several years ago, and her answer was that they couldn't afford for all five of us to go, so she stayed behind.

My Dad, a WWII vet is turning 85 this June. He later earned his pilot's license and just recently retired after practicing law for 45 years. My Mom will be 84 this year. Of all my childhood memories in South Florida, there is no question that our amazing flight in the Goodyear Blimp was the best one of all.

I just wish my Mom could have been there! It is an experience that many people can boast about!

While serving in the Navy at Pensacola Naval Air Station, I had the good fortune to be in the tower at Sherman Field when a Goodyear blimp came in for a few 'touch and goes'. The blimp pilot told the tower that he'd like to do 3 touch and goes, (meaning that he will take the airship and touch the landing gear tire to the runway and take off again). He also said that after the third touch and go, he'll do a 'maximum takeoff climb'.

I stood there watching this beautiful Goodyear line up on the runway. He must have been doing a blinding 40 miles an hour. His single wheel touched, or I should say, bounced on the runway three times. Then at the last touch and go, he pulled his airship up into a mind blowing maximum takeoff climb. The airship must have been pointed skyward at least 75 degrees. A very steep climb out. Everyone in the tower was in awe, including myself.

This beautiful blimp climbed skyward so slowly that it was like a ballet. Magnificent. It looked humorous and breathtaking at the same time.

Thank you Goodyear for giving us these beautiful blimps.

I am always so proud to say that I live in the city where the Goodyear Blimps have been flying for years. Our residents have been so fortunate to be able to look to the skies on almost any nice day and see these beautiful and graceful air ships floating above.

I couldn't believe it! After all these years, I was going to do something i'd waited for since i was a young girl! Through the generosity of Goodyear, what a great time!

This truly was a highlight moment in our lives. Something else also sticks in my mind. Following 9-11, the skies were silent and mysteriously still. A time I'll always remember. No planes, no blimp anymore. It saddened me to a point of tears not to see the blimp out flying anymore.

When the new blimp was christened, i was there with tears of joy streaming down my cheeks.

We're all so lucky to have these airships in our Akron area. Many older persons that I take care of have worked at Goodyear. Of course, I love their stories and listen very attentively, like a small child listening to their favorite story. I love the Goodyear story and especially love these great airships! My spirit will always be on the wings of Goodyear. Thanks for so many wonderful years of gracing our skies and our imaginations...

When I was in my teens (1920's I Lived in Goodyear Heights.

When the Dirigibles Akron and Macon were making their trial runs we could go outside our house and watch these large beautiful dirigibles glide over our house on their way back to their Akron hangers.

We took many guests out to see the hangers, dirigibles and Goodyear blimps.

Those were exciting times.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

Share your own memory.