It’s 1pm and the Ron Paul blimp is making a slow pass over Savannah, GA on its way to Jacksonville, FL, where we plan to spend the night. Right now we have our sites set on Boca Raton and (weather permitting) will be there for the debate on the 24th.

SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA January 17, 2008 — The Ron Paul Blimp and family of Ron Paul will be hosting an “Open Blimp” event Saturday, January 19th at 11am at Sumter Municipal Airport. This unique event will give people an opportunity to see the blimp up close and meet the members of Ron Paul’s family. Depending on his schedule Ron Paul may also be making an appearance.Hundreds of area leaders, supporters and curious spectators are expected to attend as this will be a rare opportunity to view the blimp. Members of Ron Paul’s family including his son Rand Paul and two of his grandsons, Duncan and Robert Paul will be hosting the event. The blimp’s crew and pilots will be available to answer questions about the blimp and will be providing tours of the cabin. Guests will be offered the opportunity to undergo official “Blimponaut Ground Training” and after their certification can have their photograph taken in the pilot’s seat on the blimp. There will also be an information kiosk where you can purchase blimp memorabilia and get information on Ron Paul.The blimp will be making several media and passenger flights starting at 8:30AM on the 19^th. The event is expected to go until 1pm.

Since it’s initial launch on December 17, 2007, the blimp has traveled over 3,300 miles covering Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. While flying it has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people in addition to being featured on CNN, ABC News, in the NY Times, Boston Herald, Washington Post and countless other publications and local news broadcasts.

To request a ride at the “Open Blimp” on the 19^th please email us: inquiries@ronpaulblimp.com

The Blimp is currently flying over Savannah with a News Team aboard. They will be landing shortly to drop of the reporter and film crew then depart for Myrtle Beach.

The film crew will take footage as the Blimp takes off for the trip across South Carolina. A fly-by of Savannah is planned and will happen in the next several minutes… very shortly after takeoff.

An orbit of Charleston, South Carolina is also planned and should occur at about 3:30pm.

Good morning!

Right now it’s foggy on the ground at Vandenberg Airport but the fog is clearing and we should be leaving in 30 minutes. We currently have a low cloud ceiling but that is expected to lift and we are seeing patches of blue sky. Elijah worked hard to repair the GPS so look for us on the Blimp Tracker.

We were originally scheduled to depart at 9:30AM, now we’ll be leaving closer to 10:15AM

Ok, another update. The fog isn’t lifting particularly fast. Takeoff looks more like 11AM now.

10AM foggy

10:15 Less foggy and clouds higher but still not good to fly.

Rally at St. Petersburg Pier!! Lets make this one huge and get some local press coverage!! The Ron Paul Blimp will be able to hover at about 400-500 feet above the water for this one!

A great photo op to say the least! Attendance is expected to be in the hundreds!! Join us as the Blimp spreads the Ron Paul Message.

Where: St. Petersburg Pier
When: Saturday, January 5th at 1:00pm

UPDATE ON LIVE FEED: The laptop being used aboard the Blimp has crashed (badly). There will be NO live feed today. Film crews are aboard the Blimp and will be at the Rally site. Video will be made available after today’s flight & rally.

UPDATE ON GPS: The power adaptor for the GPS is physically broken. There will be no GPS information today.

UPDATE ON DEPARTURE: Departure from Vandenberg will be at 9:30. Some over flights may be curtailed. The St. Petersburg Pier rally is ON SCHEDULE for 1:00pm.

See the intended Flight Path on Google Maps - Flight Path