“The term Goodyear Blimp has traditionally referred to any one of a fleet of airships operated by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, used mainly for advertising and capturing aerial views of live sporting events on television. The term blimp itself is defined as a non-rigid airship – without any internal structure, the pressure of lifting gas contained within the airship envelope maintains the vessel's shape. Since the launch of the Pilgrim in 1925, Goodyear has generally owned and operated airships of this type in its global public relations fleet. However, Goodyear is currently in the process of replacing its three U.S. non-rigid airships (blimps) with three new semi-rigid airships, each of which will have a rigid internal frame. Although technically incorrect, Goodyear plans to use “blimp” in reference to these new semi-rigid models. Wingfoot One, the first such model in Goodyear's U.S. fleet, was christened on August 23, 2014, near the company's world headquarters in Akron, Ohio”. – Wikipedia

A grounds crew awaits the arrival of the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” as it comes down to land in Carson, California August 5, 2015. Christened in 2002, the air ship is being retired after 8,000 flights and replaced with a newer more modern version named the “Spirit of Innovation” in September. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” flies past flags in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Blimp Pilot Kristen Arambula flies the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” over Long Beach, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Blimp Pilot Kristen Arambula lands the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Blimp Pilot Kristen Arambula flies the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” over Long Beach, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Blimp Pilot Kristen Arambula flies the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” over Long Beach, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

One of only three active female blimp pilots in the world, Kristen Arambula takes off as she pilots the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” from Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” floats past a highway billboard sign in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” takes off from Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Grounds grew secure the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” as it lands in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

One of only three active female blimp pilots in the world, Kristen Arambula guides her passengers towards the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” takes off from Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The cockpit controls of the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” are shown as it flies over Long Beach, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

Grounds crew prepare to load passengers into the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” in Carson, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)

The cockpit controls of the Goodyear blimp “Spirit of America” are shown as it flies over Long Beach, California August 5, 2015. (Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters)