World’s largest aircraft Arise Airlander takes flight in UK

A blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship considered the world’s largest aircraft flew for the first time with a short but historic jaunt over an airfield in central England. Engines roaring, the 92-metre (302-foot) Airlander 10 rose slowly into the air from Cardington airfield, 73 kilometres (45 miles) north of London. A hybrid of blimp, helicopter and plane, it can stay aloft for days at a time and has been nicknamed the ’flying bum’ because of its bulbous front end.