Pathfinder
The largest flying vehicle in the world
Our proof-of-concept aircraft, Pathfinder 1, is a significant step toward redefining transportation and air travel to be more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Pathfinder 1 a Special Airworthiness Certificate in 2023, enabling flight testing at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California. Pathfinder 1 reached a significant flight testing milestone in May 2025, when it left the airfield and successfully completed maneuvers over the San Francisco Bay.
Flight testing: expanding horizons
Pathfinder 1 is advancing its flight testing program in an expanded geographic region in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In this phase, the proof-of-concept airship will demonstrate its safety and reliability by flying farther, longer, and higher in different conditions.
By conducting incremental flight testing in varied conditions, we’re rigorously validating the design and performance of our prototype. Our systematic approach is aligned with aerospace standards, and the insights gained from flight tests will inform the continued development of the Pathfinder series in Akron, Ohio – the heart of lighter-than-air innovation in the United States.
As we reach test milestones, we will steadily expand Pathfinder 1’s flight range – keep looking up and checking back here as we push forward.
Powered by cross-disciplinary thinking
Our system-driven approach to flight testing depends on seamless collaboration across our teams in Ohio, California, and Nevada. We’re not just testing an airship – we’re charting the course for a new era of electric aviation.
Engineering Team
LTA’s engineering team developed our innovative lighter-than-air technology, from concept and design to manufacturing and testing. Today, they’re applying flight test insights to guide the design of future airships.
Ground Crew
Our dedicated ground crew leads the complex operations of maneuvering, launching, and landing next-generation airships. With every test flight, they review performance, refine safety protocols, and adjust equipment.
Flight Team
Our certified airship pilots and flight test engineers work together to execute precise, pre-planned maneuvers. They gather crucial data that allow us to systematically expand Pathfinder 1’s flight envelope and safely push the airship’s capabilities.
Our prototype by the numbers
Lighter-than-air capabilities
The future of airship technology makes possible the transport of people and cargo to destinations beyond the reach of roads, runways, and ports. Our vision is to develop the lighter-than-air technology that transforms air travel and rises to the world’s evolving needs.
Disaster Aid
Airships can deliver food and supplies to communities impacted by natural disasters when damage to roads, ports, or airports cuts off access.
Low-Impact Travel
Quiet flight with low vibrations is suitable for heritage sites and national parks. Plus, airships use 60% less fuel than traditional passenger planes.
Oversized Cargo
Airships can transport high-value cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to remote areas by bypassing logistical barriers like narrow roads or bridges.