The world largest aircraft-Airlander 10, also known as ‘Flying Bum’ for the first time left its hangar yesterday–in  Cardington, Bedfordshire, UK.
The part-plane, part-airship which cost £25 million to build in 10 years is is 92 metres long and pumped with a million cubic feet of helium.
“The aircraft which, at 302ft long, is around 50ft larger than the biggest passenger jets, was first developed for the US government as a long-endurance surveillance aircraft but it fell foul of defence cutbacks,” says MailOnline.
The European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority has now formally granted permission to the Airlander to conduct its first series of flight tests.
The project’s technical director, Mike Durham, said: ‘Last week we successfully completed our final in-hangar all engines, all generators, all systems testing.My thanks to the whole business for getting us here. The entire team is looking forward to the final series of tests outside before taking to the skies for the first time.”
Flip to the next pages for photos…