Residents across Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, and Petaluma were treated to a rare sight Wednesday morning as a massive, blimp-like aircraft drifted across the sky.
Per the Press Democrat, the vessel was identified as Pathfinder 1, a 400-foot electric prototype created by Sunnyvale-based Lighter Than Air Research to pioneer sustainable aviation. Unlike a traditional blimp, this rigid airship uses a high-tech outer hull and is currently the largest aircraft in the world. The four-hour test flight originated from Moffett Field as part of a mission to expand the craft’s range and altitude capabilities.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the project, as the company’s CEO, retired Navy Captain Brett Crozier, is a Santa Rosa native.
Local skywatchers can expect more sightings as the company continues to revolutionize carbon-neutral air travel.
