Here is what one user suggested:

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When you click GOOGLE checkout to donate and go to your GOOGLE ACCOUNT
SIGN OUT

Then go back and click GOOGLE CHECKOUT TO DONATE AND
SIGN BACK IN
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thanks to “bucfish”

Google CheckOut

Google CheckOut works in a very similar fashion to most shopping cart checkout systems. If you have used Google CheckOut previously you can login using your Google Credentials. If you are have problems using your existing Google Credentials to checkout it is recommended you logout and then login again. You do not need a Google email account (Gmail) to use Google CheckOut. Any valid email address works just fine.

Credit Cards are accepted via Google CheckOut… you can use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. Simply make the appropriate selection and enter your information.

Paypal

We are not using PayPal for a number of reasons. First, Google CheckOut is free for the first month. That means that more of your money goes to support the Ron Paul Blimp message. No fees or percentages are being taken out of your payment thanks to this promotional offer from Google CheckOut.

PayPal is also not being used because the Blimp Company was only conceived in November. We do not have the corporate history to have full access to all the PayPal processing options without limitations. When large sums are processed by PayPal it can setoff “flags” and the account can be temporarily suspended pending review by PayPal. We did not want to encounter such potential future problems. Personal PayPal accounts were not considered due to the same suspension issues. In addition we did not think it wise to allow the Blimp funds to be in a personal account of a single individual.

Wire Transfers

Will be made available in the next week.

Credit Cards-Merchant Account

We are working on setting up a merchant account that does not require you to go through Google to make credit card payments. That option should be available in the next week.

The area around Washington, DC is protected by an enormous Restricted Zone. It is, in fact an ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) courtesy of Homeland Security and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Gaining an exemption to fly in the area is extremely difficult and not often granted. We went through several difference channels and were not able to obtain such an exemption. For that reason we had to veer far around the DC area. At times this put us over the Chesapeake Bay and other areas with low population densities.

We also needed to make good time on certain legs of these trips. When on a tight schedule we circle dense population areas and then continue in the most direct route to the next area with large population densities. At times this requires the Blimp to be flown over “less than optional” exposure areas. Keep in mind that the Blimp travels at about 30-35 miles per hour with no wind. Sometimes it is necessary to take direct routes because of time issues. At times there are flight safety issues and the air crew makes those decisions in the best interest of the Blimp. They have the final word when it comes to operational safety.

The stay in the Baltimore area was part of an effort to expose the Blimp to the media and people in the heavily populated North East corridor. Baltimore was the furthest point the Blimp could reasonably travel in one day. The next stop was to be New York and along the corridor. The plan was to get as much media exposure as possible from this heavily MSM area. Then, if conditions allowed, make a flight to New Hampshire in hopes of helping the efforts of the folks up north.

Weather and equipment maintenance have made traveling any further north unviable. We are working to gain support for Ron Paul in the Republican primaries. Whether a state is democratic or republican does not matter at this stage. We need to win Republican support in those areas and in every other state to win the Republican nomination. It would be nice if all the early primaries where all together and had blue sunny skies. This is not the case and we are trying to get as much media exposure as possible to promote the Ron Paul message.

The plan now is to take The Ron Paul Blimp message south to warmer climes. We have early primaries in South Carolina and Florida and we would like to have the Blimp be a presence in those areas. Since Atlanta is the home of CNN and The Weather Channel, and in the proximity of a potential route to Florida, an appearance there is also being considered.

Homeland security has been responsible for a number of new regulations adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One of those rules is that no aircraft can fly within a three mile radius of such an event were the seating capacity exceeds 30,000. This specifically includes NFL, MLB, NCAA, Speedway and other events. This Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) goes into effect one hour prior to the event and ends one hour after the event has ended.

There are certain exceptions to this rule. One such exception allows “official” air flights to receive an exemption. Here is the text from one such NOTAM (Notice to Airmen):

THOSE WHO MEET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MAY REAPPLY FOR A WAIVER TO THESE RESTRICTIONS: (A FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES OF AN EVENT, STADIUM, OR OTHER VENUE, INCLUDING (IN THE CASE OF A SPORTING EVENT THE TRANSPORT OF EQUIPMENT OR PARTS, TEAM MEMBERS, OFFICIALS OF THE GOVERNING BODY, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND GUESTS OF SUCH TEAMS, AND OFFICIALS TO AND FROM THE EVENT, STADIUM, OR OTHER VENUE.

This exception means that the Blimp could be used for filming such an event. There are some issues that should be considered; the waiver take time to obtain and could only be applied for once we meet the criteria. To meet the criteria we would need to qualify under the exceptions noted above. If the Blimp were to operate as a photo vehicle, say for NFL films, we would need to make prior arrangements with them. We would need to dedicate the Blimp’s services for mounting photo/video equipment prior to and after the event. There would probably need to be an actual test of the equipment. This could result in a substantial amount of operational time being dedicated to providing services to a single event.

We have not ruled out the possibility. There are several hurdles to overcome and we are making efforts to obtain the proper information and connections. If you know a senior corporate manager of an official media outlet for such events, please contact them and see if they can help us get the Blimp over one of these events. Then, provide us their information to make the arrangements. Likewise, if you know the owner of an NFL team we ask that you do the same.

 We would love to be overhead at one of these events. The time diverted from Blimp operations could be substantial. The arrangements and coordination for these events may be prohibitive to maximum Blimp exposure.