Our History
Straightline Aviation (SLA) was approached by the leading original equipment manufacturers to establish an operating company and work with them to develop both their product and the market.
It is generally not the business of aircraft manufacturers to own and operate their own product and due to SLA having a longstanding history of operating a helium assisted airship fleet, Lockheed has designated SLA as its preferred hybrid airship operator.
Lockheed Martin has entered into the first letter of intent with SLA granting options on the first 12 aircraft delivered. Due to the experience the management team have in with helium assisted airships, SLA have access to strategic global alliances and partnerships which offer unique market opportunities. The unique backgrounds the management team have included:
Establishing the largest and most successful commercial airship fleet worldwide.
Gained Certifications and Permissions from the various aviation authorities in over 30 countries.
Arranged commercial operating schedules in varied and extreme climates, from the Winter Olympics Lillehammer “94” to Passenger Operations in the high desert climate of Las Vegas.
Implemented specialist training programs for Pilots, Crew Chief, Maintainers & Ground Crew.
Authored Quality Assurance Manuals; Operations Audit Procedure; Training Manuals for Pilot, Crew Chief, Maintainer and Ground Crew.
The assessment of feasibility of operations across the globe.
Obtaining Aircraft Supplemental Type Certificate approvals.
Achieved world records in aviation.
Straightline Aviation team at Lockheed Martin Skunk works facility.
Airship Experience
We have operated airships in 38 countries over 5 continents including:
USA – Mexico – Canada – Puerto Rica – Bahamas - Brazil – Argentina – Paraguay Uruguay – Peru – Australia – China — Hong Kong – Singapore – Malaysia – Japan — India – Turkey – Israel – Poland – Slovenia – Slovakia – Germany – Hungary – Croatia Kosovo — Czech Republic – Greece – South Africa – Italy – France – Belgium Portugal – Spain — Austria – Norway Netherlands – Sweden – United Kingdom
Consistently led the airship market and operated a fleet of 19 airships, employing more than 400 staff in 6 offices around the world.
This map highlights all the countries in the world that we have operated airships, lighter-than-air aircrafts and fixed wing aircrafts.
Fixed Wing Experience
Established Virgin Atlantic as a major global airline with operating hubs in:
UK — USA — India — Hong Kong — China — Japan — Nigeria — South Africa — Russia
Established the first foreign-owned commercial airline operating A to B flights in the US.
Other Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) Experience
Operated over 200 thermal airships, balloons and gas balloons in over 50+ countries around the world including:
UK — France — Spain — Germany — Russia — USA — Canada — Mexico — Costa Rica Brazil — Argentina — Algeria
Morocco — Kenya — Egypt — Jordan — Sudan Australia — China — Malaysia
Plus permission to overfly a further 92 countries.
Established aerostat operations in Europe and the United States.
Type Certification of Aircraft
USA – Australia – Brazil – Canada – Germany – Italy – UK — Turkey
Obtained air operating certificates in:
USA – Hong Kong – Italy – UK – Singapore — Canada – Australia – Turkey -- Japan
Government contract with FAA to provide LTA training to aviation inspectors
Close working relationship with aviation authorities throughout the world:
FAA – CAA – DGAC – CASA – FMTIT – ANAC – TCCA – CAAC – CCAA – CAACR EASA – LBA – HCAA - CADHK – JCAB
KOCA – DCAM – DGACM – CAAN – DGACP CAO – NICAP – CAAS – SACAA — GDCAS