Question 1

WHAT MAKES A HYBRID AIRCRAFT FLY?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky’s first experience will be performed in the Airlander 10, which is a hybrid aircraft. A hybrid aircraft derives its lift from a combination of aerodynamic lift (like an aeroplane), lifting gases (like an airship) and vectored thrust (similar to a helicopter). Airlander generates up to 40% of its lift from aerodynamics by the passage of air over the hull and the remainder from buoyant lift from the helium. At lower speed and closer to the ground, vectoring engine power is used to provide additional lift and manoeuvrability for take-off, landing and ground handling.

So, in other words, the Airlander is a combination between an airship, an airplane and a helicopter. What makes Airlander so efficient is that it uses the lifting gas helium to offset its weight, meaning the Airlander becomes very light compared to a conventional airplane. Its lightness makes it efficient.

Question 2

WHAT MAKES A HYBRID AIRCRAFT DIFFERENT TO CONVENTIONAL AIRPLANES?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky’s vision is to make aviation sustainable. Airplanes don’t constitute a viable option for environmentally sustainable operations, even if we could run them on biofuel and batteries. It’s just not enough and simply not the answer for aviation - more on this under.

Question 3

WHY IS FLYING WITH AIRLANDER 10 MORE SUSTAINABLE (BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT) COMPARED TO FLYING WITH A NORMAL AIRPLANE?

Accepted Answer

At OceanSky we believe we need to change the equipment
for aviation to become sustainable. A hybrid aircraft is a combination of
airship, airplane and helicopter; it’s a combination where we get the best of
all worlds.

The lifting gas offsets the weight of the aircraft meaning that less energy is required to keep it aloft. Like an airship, this means that it can carry a lot of payload, burn very little fuel and fly for a long time. The use of aerodynamic lift means that Airlander can generate more or less lift as required. This means that, unlike an airship, it is heavier-than-air. It can therefore stay on the ground while it is loaded, unloaded, fuelled and maintained, meaning that it requires little or none expensive, fixed infrastructure. In this way, a hybrid aircraft combines the efficiency, capability and sustainable potential of an airship with the practicality of a normal airplane. Hybrid aircraft minimise the need for expensive ground infrastructure to operate in remote places, while enabling safe, quiet, efficient and capable flight. Its low operational cost, low environmental impact and unique flight and land capabilities enables OceanSky to reach the unreachable. So, for example, OceanSky could fly Stockholm – London with an Airlander with the benefit of having a sleeping cabin for guests on-board. The flight would take 12h instead of 2,5h but it would be quiet and comfortable, and we can fly through the night to bring you there well rested in the morning. We could also take-off and land on a small field that could be very central.

Question 4

DO YOU NEED A RUNWAY?

Accepted Answer

At OceanSky we believe we need to preserve our nature
and minimise the need for infrastructure. Every paved road or runway means less
biodiversity, less animal habitats and less natural resources. The world is
building bigger and bigger airports and hardened surfaces in an unprecedented
pace.

A
hybrid aircraft does not need runways. Although large in volume, Airlander
needs only an open, relatively flat space to take off and land without the need
of asphalt. This allows us to take passengers to the furthest corners of our
world. This flexibility in operations is one advantage of Airlander’s hybrid
design. Unlike traditional airships, Airlander is heavier-than-air, which
allows it to "sit" on the ground similar to an aeroplane or
helicopter. That’s why we can land on the North Pole!

Question 5

TALK TO ME ABOUT SAFETY?

Accepted Answer

The most critical phase of flight in aviation is take-off and landing. Imagine landing in 20kts instead of 120kts. Lower speed means improved safety. Furthermore, the Airlander is designed and manufactured to the same standards of safety as every other aircraft. Airlander will have an EASA type certificate, and the OEM is approved by EASA to design and build aircraft. Equally, in operations, OceanSky is subject to the same regulations as any other airline operating under the European commercial aviation framework. Aviation is regarded as having the most advanced safety culture of all transport modal industries.

Question 6

WHAT ABOUT WINDS AND BAD WEATHER?

Accepted Answer

Like any other commercial aircraft, Airlander will be
type certified and capable of flying in a wide range of weather conditions. The
Airlander can safely take off and land in wind conditions similar to commercial
airplanes but unlike other large airplanes, Airlander is not restricted by
cross-wind, as it can simply turn into the wind and take off in any direction
due to the non-dependency of runway direction.

The
Airlander will also be capable of withstanding lightning strikes and icing
conditions, similar to all type certified commercial aircraft.

Question 7

DO WE NEED A HANGAR?

Accepted Answer

Unlike airplanes, the majority of Airlander's maintenance can be performed attached to a mast without the need of a hangar. Some maintenance is most easily performed while in a hangar, so for heavy maintenance OceanSky will use a hangar.

Question 8

WHAT MAKES LIGHTER-THAN-AIR TECHNOLOGY SUSTAINABLE?

Accepted Answer

Utilising lighter-than-air technology, Airlander burns much less fuel in flight than conventional aircraft. The buoyant lift of helium offsets the weight of the aircraft, therefore requiring much less thrust (and therefore much less fuel) to generate lift.  This immense potential to save fossil fuel can put aviation in a direction of non-dependency of oil. Because if we only need a fraction of the energy, we can also use non-fossil alternatives.

Hybrid Air Vehicles, the Airlander OEM, is on the path
to develop electric engines for Airlander 10. Read more about Project E-HAV1:https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/news-and-media/overview/news/e-hav1/

Question 9

WHEN WILL WE SEE AN AIRLANDER 10 FLYING?

Accepted Answer

Actually the first full
size prototype was flying already in 2012. Back then under military flag.
However, in 2016 and 2017, the Airlander was test flown inside the Civil
Aviation framework of EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).

The
OEM is working towards the type certified production aircraft. They are
anticipating aircraft in service from the early 2020s, with test flying to
begin at some point before that. The exact timeline is dependent on a variety
of factors including orders, certification, and build progress. OceanSky’s
North Pole expedition is set for take-off 2023 or 2024.

Question 10

IS THERE A HELIUM SHORTAGE?

Accepted Answer

According to the US Geological Survey, there are at least 50 years of known helium reserves based on current consumption. One Airlander aircraft would account for 0,0017% of available supply. Aviation equipment is normally scheduled to be in operation in excess of 25 years. Once an Airship is filled it does not consume helium, all gas will be reused for a next future Airship.

Question 11

WHERE WILL I STAY ON-BOARD THE HYBRID AIRSHIP?

Accepted Answer

The great hull you see in the pictures and videos are where the containment of the helium is. More than 90% of the volume of an airship is used for containing the lifting gas. The passenger gondola is below the big round hull. The gondola is around 250m2 and holds the cockpit, living space and all the Horizon Cabins, which we call the private suites you as a passenger will be sleeping in.

Question 12

HOW BIG IS THE CABIN?

Accepted Answer

The private Horizon Cabin overall area measures approximately 10m2, of which includes a shower and bathroom and a small wardrobe.

Question 13

WHEN IS THE FIRST FLIGHT?

Accepted Answer

The first flight to the North Pole is planned to be in 2023 or 2024. The season is starting in March and ends in October.

Question 14

HOW LONG IS THE FLIGHT?

Accepted Answer

The flight from Svalbard to the North Pole and then back to Svalbard will be 36 hours, plus 1 hour before departure for boarding and 1 hour after for debriefing.

Question 15

HOW MANY NIGHTS ON-BOARD?

Accepted Answer

On OceanSky’s itinerary there will be 2 nights on-board for the flight from Svalbard to the North Pole and back to Svalbard. This might be altered on individual charters as agencies and private companies that charter departures may offer tailored itineraries.

Question 16

HOW MANY GUESTS CAN STAY IN ONE CABIN?

Accepted Answer

One cabin is for maximum 2 guests.

Question 17

HOW MANY CABINS ARE ON-BOARD?

Accepted Answer

There are 8 cabins on-board, each for 2 guests.

Question 18

HOW MANY GUESTS WILL BE ON-BOARD?

Accepted Answer

There will be maximum 16 guests on-board.

Question 19

HOW MANY CREWMEMBERS ONBOARD?

Accepted Answer

There are 7 crew-members on-board, and could be one extra expedition leader/translator for certain charter flights. 4 of the 7 are pilots.

Question 20

HOW LONG WILL WE STAY AT THE NORTH POLE?

Accepted Answer

We will land on the North Pole 09:00 in the morning and we will take-off again 15:00, so it will be six hours on the North Pole. However, this might be different to specific chartered departures.

Question 21

CAN I TAKE MY DOG/CAT/BIRD WITH ME ONBOARD?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is because of allergies (and we don’t want your dog/cat/bird to escape on the North Pole for us to spend all the time up there looking for it.)

Question 22

WHAT HAPPENS ON-BOARD?

Accepted Answer

We will take-off from
Svalbard 18:00 in the evening. There will be an airborne cocktail followed by
dinner and an introduction in the evening. At 07:00 the next morning it will be
breakfast and we will land 09:00.

On the way back we will
start with Panoramic Arctic sightseeing and wildlife spotting followed by a
dinner and we will finish the evening with a cocktail and an Arctic expedition
lecture.

We
use the best chefs in the world and the best expedition leaders we can find.
However, remember this is an expedition, and there is only 3 crewmembers taking
care of guests, the other 4 are pilots and must operate the Airlander. This
journey will be something special and extremely high in quality, but we are not
aiming for a 5 star service concept. This is an incredible adventure that will
send ripples in the future way of travel.

Question 23

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE NORTH POLE?

Accepted Answer

The arctic expedition leader will start with an instruction and a security brief. Then there will be outdoor activities and a polar lunch in the snow at noon. We will learn how to survive in the Polar Regions and how the pioneers of discovery learned how to endure the harsh conditions of Arctic and managed to reach their goals.

We will first hand be told the stories of these pioneers, why they did it, how they did it and how you can survive in the most challenging climate on earth.

Question 24

HOW HIGH ARE WE FLYING?

Accepted Answer

We will be flying up to 6000 feet. We can go higher, up to 10,000ft, but we will be flying low and slow so our guests can enjoy the view better. The lower the better, maybe even as low as 300 feet. That’s similar to be on the 25th floor in a high rise building.

Question 25

HOW FAST ARE WE FLYING?

Accepted Answer

We will be cruising at airspeeds between 20kts (37km/h) and 60kts (110km/h), but normal cruise speed is calculated to 50kts (91km/h). We will take it slow and easy, for a soft, quiet and smooth flight.

Question 26

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? WHAT DO I NEED FOR THE FLIGHT?

Accepted Answer

Bring winter clothes. Really warm winter clothes. Think layer on layer. And bring your camera. That’s the short version, but fear not, OceanSky will supply a detailed packing list well in advance of your travel.

Question 27

HOW COLD IS IT AT THE NORTH POLE?

Accepted Answer

The average (mean) temperature at the North Pole is −40° C (which happens to also be −40° F) in the winter and in 0° C (32° F) in the summer. We only fly during the summer season because during the polar night it is very dark. You can see the actual weather and find the forecast for the North Pole with this link https://www.yr.no/place/North_Pole/Other/North_Pole/

Question 28

COULD THE FLIGHT BE DELAYED? WHY?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the flight could be delayed due to weather conditions. The published itinerary is meant as a guideline and may change due to weather, wind and ice conditions.On some occasions, adverse conditions may require us to deviate from our intended itinerary, in which case we will provide the best available alternative.  However, we do not expect more deviations as regular flights experience in the European skies.

The Airlander is a sturdy vehicle, and can withstand very heavy winds. Up to 50kts on the ground and even more when airborne.

Question 29

WHERE DOES THE JOURNEY BEGIN?

Accepted Answer

The adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, governed by the Kingdom of Norway.

Question 30

WHAT IS SVALBARD? WHERE IS IT? HOW DO I GET THERE?

Accepted Answer

Svalbard is a group of islands, north of Norway. It is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Longyearbyen is the most northern settlement in the world with over 2000 inhabitants. You can fly to Longyearbyen airport from Oslo or Tromsö almost daily with SAS or Norwegian airlines.

Question 31

WILL YOU TAKE ME TO AND FROM SVALBARD?

Accepted Answer

We work with the best
companies in the Arctic. They can help you with these arrangements. OceanSky
will offer Svalbard activity packages in a near future.

It would be good if you
plan with some extra nights before and after the North Pole Expedition, so you
won’t be late for the flight and also because we might have to delay the flight
due to weather sometimes. (There are a lot of fun things to do and see in
Svalbard for your stay there as well).

OceanSky
works with the best and most experienced travel companies in Svalbard that
arranges activities and packages and can even help you with the flight
bookings. Let us know and we can connect you.

Question 32

IS THE NORTH POLE EXPEDITION THE ONLY FLIGHT? HAVE YOU GOT ANY OTHER DESTINATIONS?

Accepted Answer

The North Pole Expedition will be the first flight with the hybrid aircraft. We are planning some other adventures as well, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed and get all the latest news and updates.

Question 33

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ARE DELAYED DUE TO WEATHER FOR EXAMPLE?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky functions like any
other airline. Of course our destination is a bit more adventurous, so we have
plenty of margins in our planning. That’s why we plan a whole week per
expedition, in order to make sure our planning holds.

If we delay because of the
weather then we will postpone the flight 24 hours (it’s good if you plan with
some extra nights in Svalbard because of this so you’re a bit prepared).

If
there are any other reasons for the delay, something technical for example, we
have technicians on site that will maintain and repair any technical issue, and
we’ll depart when it’s safe to fly again.

Question 34

WHY SHOULD I PLAN TO HAVE SOME NIGHTS AT SVALBARD?

Accepted Answer

It’s a good idea to plan
with some nights before the flight and after as well to be a little bit
flexible. There might be delays due to weather or other circumstances.

Weather can be
unpredictable in this part of the world and your flight inbound Longyearbyen
could be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather or other unforeseen
circumstances which is why we strongly recommend staying an extra night or two
in Svalbard to ensure that you provide yourself with margins.

The
expedition to the North Pole could also be delayed so it would be good to be
prepared and plan extra nights in Svalbard after the expedition as well. There
are lots of things to do and see in Svalbard as well so many choose to take
this opportunity to explore this fascinating city and the surrounding
countryside. Svalbard is a wild place. Longyearbyen, located on the largest
island Spitsbergen, is one of the most northerly settlements on Earth. There
are only a few roads. Dog sleds and snowmobiles are used to access the
wilderness. With some luck you might see some Polar bears here as well.

Question 35

WHY DO I NEED EXTRA INSURANCE?

Accepted Answer

Since the areas you will travel to on this expedition
are remote and wild (that’s why we go there!), we require medical evacuation
insurance for this expedition. We require that you send us documentation of the
independent coverage you have selected and that your chosen independent
insurance plan includes at least US$150,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

To provide peace of mind while you travel, we also
strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. Plans may cover
everything from medical treatment to trip cancellations and delays and lost
luggage.

OceanSky
will use the experience of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise
Operators (AECO) for safety services and guidelines relating to passenger
safety, search and rescue, biosecurity, wildlife and operational procedures.

Question 36

WILL I SEE ANY POLAR BEARS?

Accepted Answer

Probably, we will look for them and see if we can find any, but we can’t guarantee that you will see them. The more time you spend in Svalbard the more chance of seeing Polar bears.

Question 37

WILL I SEE THE AURORA BOREALIS?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what time during the season you choose to join the expedition. You have a better chance to see Northern lights in the beginning and in the end of the summer season when it’s dark. Best time to see this natural phenomena during OceanSky’s summer season, would be September and October.

Question 38

WILL I SEE THE MIDNIGHT SUN?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what time during the season you choose to join the expedition. To get to see the most of the mid-night sun you should go before September.

Question 39

CAN I BOOK A ONE-WAY TICKET?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot.

Question 40

CAN I RESELL MY TICKET?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a ticket holder may transfer the package travel contract to another person (name change), provided that the person satisfies all the contract conditions for participating on the expedition.

Question 41

CAN I GET A TICKET FOR THE FIRST FLIGHT? ONE OF THE FIRST FLIGHTS?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible. ADVENTURE ticket holders will be invited to upgrade to PIONEER status on a later date. This includes the option to upgrade to the inaugural flight.

Question 42

SHOULD I BRING MY CAMERA?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Of course! Don’t forget it!

Question 43

WILL I SEE SANTA CLAUS?

Accepted Answer

No, he’s in Finland in Rovaniemi in Lapland. He doesn’t live on the North Pole anymore, it was too cold.

Question 44

WILL MY PHONE WORK?

Accepted Answer

Probably not unless you bring a satellite phone. OceanSky will of course have a Satellite phone for emergencies as well as HF-radio.

Question 45

IS THERE WIFI ONBOARD?

Accepted Answer

We are evaluating our different options to make sure we get the best alternative for our needs. There is satellite coverage all around the globe, so for safety messages we are connected.

Question 46

WHAT ABOUT NAVIGATING? I’VE HEARD THERE ARE PROBLEMS TO NAVIGATE/USE COMPASS AT THE NORTH POLE?

Accepted Answer

We will be using the latest navigational equipment and GPS-navigation, there will not be any problems with this kind of navigation. (It was harder before in the old days using compass and grid navigation…)

Question 47

ARE YOU USING HYDROGEN?

Accepted Answer

No. We only use helium, which is a non-flammable gas. Hydrogen is not allowed in commercial aviation as a lifting gas.

Question 48

WHY IS THIS EXPEDITION ONLY BY INVITATION?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky’s expedition to the North Pole is a historic endeavour. There are only a few departures available for the first season. This means that we will only be able to take the true pioneers with us to land on the top of the world and usher in a new sustainable era of aviation. Most of our departures are by charter.

However, we aim at doing a few departures available by individual cabins (for 2 people) as well. In order for us to put together a good dynamic of the group of individuals that does not charter the whole airship, we try to gather people with a common interest but diverse background. Our guests are all conscious travellers as well as shepherds of the earth; we believe sustainable travel starts with the travellers.

Question 49

HOW DO I GET AN INVITATION?

Accepted Answer

In order to apply for an
invitation, you fill in the form under :

https://www.oceanskycruises.com/north-pole-expedition-package/

Please make us understand
why you should be invited to take part of this historic endeavour. Give us a
few days to process your request.

We
allocate individual cabin bookings into a few departures. Most of our
departures are booked by travel agents and tour operators or chartered by
individuals or by companies. The departures for single cabin bookings (for two
people) are therefore very limited and we take great care to put together the
dynamic groups with regards to interest, language, background and experience.

Question 50

WHO ARE THE GUESTS WHO BOOKED SO FAR?

Accepted Answer

We place the highest regards in confidentiality and
keep our sensitive client lists private. But to say some things that unite our
clients, they are:

Shepherds of the earth, who are showing great passion,
some are famous names and world famous in their field

Entrepreneurs

High level officials

Celebrities and influencers

Companies and organisations that do good things for
the world

In
general, our invitations go out to individuals and companies that are showing
the will to explore and push the boundaries and find new ways of supporting and
creating change.

Question 51

MAY I SHARE THAT I HAVE A CONFIRMED BOOKING?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may, that is up to you to decide if you want to do it or not.

Question 52

WHERE DO I FIND THE TICKET CONDITIONS?

Accepted Answer

When you place a booking request, we will send you the
full Terms & Conditions together with a deposit invoice.

The detailed information also gives you the short version of the conditions here

https://www.oceanskycruises.com/adventurer-invited/

under password. Don’t have a password? Please apply here firsthttps://www.oceanskycruises.com/north-pole-expedition-package/

Question 53

IS THERE ANY RISK TO THE MONEY I PUT IN DEPOSIT?

Accepted Answer

All deposits made by travellers on OceanSky’s
itineraries are covered by a travel guarantee by Swedish authority
Kammarkollegiet. In fact, all money collected by OceanSky is escrowed into
Kammarkollegiet’s own account and are never used by OceanSky.

If OceanSky becomes insolvent, traveller’s deposits
are claimed and paid out directly from Kammarkollegiet’s website through a
simple web form.

Deposits can be claimed if OceanSky does not deliver
travel latest end of 2024.

That said, travellers do not take any financial risk of losing their deposit. The only risk of losing money is if a traveller decides to cancel his or her journey after paid deposit.  Everyone who sells or markets travel arrangements or travel packages must have a travel guarantee if the trips are subject to guarantees under the Travel Guarantee Act. The purpose of this Act is to protect travellers in the event of the travel agent becoming insolvent.

https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start/all-services/information-about-travel-guarantees/payment-commitments---travel-guarantees

Terms
for deposited funds

The
following terms apply when depositing funds with the Legal, Financial and
Administrative Services Agency for travel guarantees.

The
funds for the guarantee must be deposited in Swedish Kronor (SEK).

The
money will then be put in an interest-bearing account with the Swedish National
Debt Office in accordance with the Deposit Money in Escrow Act (1927:56). The
Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency will call on funds to
compensate for negative interest.

Negative
and positive interest will be reported semi-annually or annually. Where
applicable, we will provide information to the Swedish Tax Agency.

We
are entitled to immediately use funds in accordance with Sections 6 and 7 of
the Travel Guarantee Act (2018:1218).

By
depositing funds with us, you agree to these terms.

Under
the following link you may search in the "free text search" field for
registered companies with travel guarantees under the
Kammarkollegiet:  https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start/all-services/search-travel-guarantees

Just
type in OceanSky and it should show you the result with respective registration
number.

The contact details for Kammarkollegiet can be
found here: https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start/contact

And
for claims you may click on this link: https://www.kammarkollegiet.se/vara-tjanster/resegaranti/ansok-om-ersattning-ur-resegarantin

Since there is currently no English version of
the reimbursement form available we just contacted Kammarkollegiet directly via
Email resegarantier@kammarkollegiet.se and shortly after a
nice lady replied the following:I recommend you to ask travellers who have
questions to contact us via email or phone. For valid forms for applying for
reimbursement, travellers are not required to use them. They can write on their
own form and if any information is missing, we will ask them to supplement it.

Question 54

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Accepted Answer

You have two options then. Either you sell your ticket
to someone else or the second option is that you terminate your ticket.

The termination fee is equivalent to the total amount of
deposit paid by the client.

OS
will confirm specific expedition dates 12 months before departure. OS expects
the offer to be for expeditions starting in Spring 2023 or 2024. In the
unlikely event that OS does not perform an expedition in the period up to
December 31st 2024, the client has the right to claim the paid deposit. Upon
the client’s written request, OS will transfer the refund within a time period
of 14 days.

Question 55

WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO PAY?

Accepted Answer

Payments after deposit (5%) are scheduled to 9 months prior departure (45%) and 3 months prior departure (50%).

Question 56

CAN I RESELL MY TICKET?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the traveller may transfer the package travel contract to another person (name change), provided that the person satisfies all the contract conditions for participating on the expedition. 1 ticket is equal to one cabin for 2 people.

Question 57

CAN I GO ALONE?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can travel alone in the cabin or bring someone with you if you want to. The ticket price is per cabin and maximum 2 persons in each cabin.

Question 58

CAN WE BE 3 IN A CABIN?

Accepted Answer

No, maximum 2 persons per cabin.

Question 59

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

Accepted Answer

Minimum age for booking is 18. There will be a few selected family-friendly departures that allow children of 11+ years on the expedition.

Question 60

AM I INSURED?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky, like all other commercial aviation operators, has insurance for passengers when flying, so you are insured but since the areas you will travel to on the North Pole expedition are remote and wild (that’s why we go there!), we require a special medical evacuation insurance for this expedition. You will have to get your own and we require that you send us documentation of the independent coverage you have selected and that your chosen independent insurance plan includes at least US$150,000 in medical evacuation coverage. Thank you for understanding that our policy exists exclusively in the interest of our guests’ safety.  To provide peace of mind while you travel, we also strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. Plans may cover everything from medical treatment to trip cancellations and delays and lost luggage.

Question 61

WHAT IS “PIONEER” PACKAGE?

Accepted Answer

Our PIONEER clients are the very first 100 travellers that join OceanSky to land on the North Pole in the first season. The PIONEER flights are the first 10 expeditions to the North Pole with OceanSky, including the inauguration flight.  The PIONEER reservations will be released on a later date. Only ADVENTURER ticket holders will be given the opportunity to upgrade to PIONEER status. Get your ticket and more info will come for the PIONEERS.

Question 62

WHAT IS “ADVENTURER” PACKAGE?

Accepted Answer

Our ADVENTURER clients are the travellers that join OceanSky to land on the North Pole during the first season but after the maiden voyage and after the 100-CLUB of PIONEERS on the first 10 expeditions, so from the 11th expedition and onwards all the ADVENTURERS will be on-board.

Question 63

WHAT IS OCEANSKY DOING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND THE FUTURE OF AVIATION?

Accepted Answer

OceanSky is creating change
by:

Promoting the use of new
alternative aircraft (electric and LTA)

Supporting and using
alternatives to fossil fuels

Supporting and using ultra
clean fuels with lower emissions of toxic substances

Promoting less travel –
quality rather than quantity

Climate-compensation

Promoting the message and
stories of environmentalists and polar experts

Our North Pole Expedition
is aimed at ushering in a new revolutionary clean technology into aviation, and
transform aviation into a mode of transport that is clean, quiet, comfortable
and an experience in itself.

OceanSky is running a
seaplane experience in the Arctic Circle where we use biofuel to furthest
extent possible. This is to support and develop the market for biofuel, which
is still struggling and hard to get hold of. See more info on http://www.seaplaneexperiences.com

We have teamed up with
CHOOOSE to make the expedition from Svalbard to the North Pole climate
positive. Through CHOOOSE we pay for any eventual CO2 emissions with a carbon
offset – in case we have any CO2 emissions. CHOOOSE’s business idea is to buy
as many climate credits as possible and then tear them apart so that no one can
ever use these to pollute. For the price of a cup of cappuccino per month,
CHOOOSE reduces more than the environmental impact customers leave behind, thus
making them climate-positive. Each carbon credit is equivalent to a reduction
of 1 ton of CO2 emissions and is purchased directly from green and sustainable
projects in developing countries. This reduces both global CO2 emissions and
finances wind farms, solar plants and other projects that replace coal and oil.
All are approved by the UN, and credits form a key part of these projects’
funding.

Question 64

WHY IS FLYING WITH AIRLANDER 10 MORE SUSTAINABLE (BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT) COMPARED TO FLYING WITH A NORMAL AIRPLANE?

Accepted Answer

Going to the North Pole
with the largest flying vehicle ever built in modern times is a quest that will
show the world what lighter-than-air technology can do for humanity and our
transport needs. Showing we can land without a footprint and fly with minimum
amount of energy consumption is the mission of the North Pole expedition.

Sustainability by
definition means you can keep doing what you are doing in perpetuity, without
depleting any natural resources. At OceanSky we believe that lighter-than-air
technology holds that potential. To travel, fly and transport, without the need
of fossil fuel.

However, our expedition is just one step towards the final goal – true sustainability. It might be the most important step, because it will create a kick start  for people to see and understand the potential and usability of the LTA technology.

A hybrid aircraft use a
fraction of the energy of an airplane. We are working on the estimates as we
write this, in order to show numbers on this.

The most interesting aspect
is although the fact that airships require very little power to fly and they
don’t require large infrastructure and runways to operate. Airliners (jet
airplanes) require very much power to fly as well as runways and aprons to taxi
on. This is because airliners are heavy and airships are light. In comparison,
let’s use a real airship as an example, the historical airship Macon. It used
around 3,3 percent of the horsepower (or kW as depicted) as a Boeing 747
Jumbojet. The Macon was an American military airship based on the Zeppelin
models. The comparison is reasonable because if the same size airship (around
200,000m3 size) would be built with today's technology, it would carry a
comparable amount of payload as a jumbo jet. The speed would be around 100 kts.
A jet flies 440kts approximately.

If you convert horsepower
into fuel consumption per distance, in order to compare it with a large jet,
you can multiply by 5 as that is the approximate speed factor difference
between a large airship and large jet. 3,3%x5 is 17%. So, a large airship
would, and did, use about 17% of the energy as a large jet of comparable
payload. So the carbon emissions would be 83% less.

However, there is not only
the save in energy consumption! If you only require a fraction of the
horsepower of a jet engine - you can then fairly simply use other, more
efficient engines, such as electrical engines etc. With low power requirement
you also open your options to the source of energy where you draw your power
(energy carrier) such as batteries, solar power etc. This is what airplanes
struggle with, the need for power and the limitations it brings, which
basically means airplanes are stuck on oil.