Goodyear celebrates 100th anniversary of the inaugural flight of first blimp ‘Pilgrim’
MOGADORE, Ohio (WOIO) - June 3, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of the inaugural flight of the first Goodyear-branded blimp, the “Pilgrim.”
“It is really neat to see all the history and know that airships are still alive and still flying,” said Jerry Hissem, Chief Pilot.
Hissem has been flying the blimp for almost 28 years.
“We fly hundreds of people a year, and to see the look on their face and reaction after they get done with their flight is great,” said Hissem.
From World War II to countless historical events, the Goodyear blimp has been flying overhead for more than a century.
The blimp travels more than 100 days per year, with trips ranging anywhere from three days to three weeks.
Taking a trip in the Goodyear blimp is a rare opportunity and one that 19 News got to take part in.
The majority of blimp flights are reserved for Goodyear customers, by invitation for special circumstances or for those who purchase a blimp certificate at a charity auction.
“It really is just a fun way to watch the world go by,” said Joe Erbs, Senior Pilot.
This year, Goodyear blimps will be celebrating the past, the present, and the future with their fans. They are doing an aerial tour in over 100 cities across North America.
“We are going to go up to Canada a little bit, we go over to Connecticut, then up to the Boston area to do some tire dealer support. So, the airships are going to be all over the country this year,” said Hissem.
All three airships will fly over the Akron area on the 100th anniversary, which is also the mayor’s state of the city address.
“It is a rarity to see three together,” said Hissem.
Both Hissem and Erbs said this is a huge milestone, but the people are what make it so special.
“It started out as a billboard in the sky, but it has become so much more than that,” said Erbs.
The Goodyear blimp has made appearances at the first Super Bowl, the Summer & Winter Olympics, Royal Weddings, Academy Awards, World Series, and the Kentucky Derby.
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