lighter-than-air
Helium balloon's property
Lighter-than-air describes aircraft that float by being less dense than the surrounding atmosphere—balloons and airships filled with heated air, helium, or hydrogen.
The term distinguishes these from heavier-than-air craft like planes and helicopters, which require thrust or lift to stay aloft.
The Hindenburg was the largest lighter-than-air vehicle ever built.
Steerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- dirigibleSteerable lighter-than-air craft
- zeppelinRigid lighter-than-air craft
- blimpNon-rigid flying vessel
- balloonInflatable rubber sac
Hindenburg · Goodyear · gondola · envelope · gasbag · hangar · aeronaut · aviator
Lightest noble gas
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- flotationAbility to stay afloat
density · Archimedes · atmosphere · altitude · pressure · volume · ballast · equilibrium
Buoyant heated-envelope aircraft
- weather balloonAirborne meteorology instrument platform
- observation balloonTethered airship for watching
- barrage balloonMoored aircraft-deterring inflatable
- gondolaSuspended transport cabin
envelope · basket · burner · ballonet · rigging · ascension · altitude · vent
airship
Steerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- dirigibleSteerable lighter-than-air craft
- zeppelinRigid lighter-than-air craft
- blimpNon-rigid flying vessel
balloon · Hindenburg · Goodyear · gondola · envelope · gasbag · hangar · aeronaut · aviator · pilot
helium
Lightest noble gas
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- displacementRemoval from usual location
flotation · density · Archimedes · atmosphere · altitude · pressure · volume · ballast · equilibrium · neutral buoyancy
hot-air balloon
Buoyant heated-envelope aircraft
- weather balloonAirborne meteorology instrument platform
- observation balloonTethered airship for watching
- barrage balloonMoored aircraft-deterring inflatable
gondola · envelope · basket · burner · ballonet · rigging · ascension · altitude · vent · tether
floating
Staying atop liquid
wafting · soaring · levitating · suspended · airborne · ethereal · gossamer · feathery · wispy · delicate
- airshipsZeppelin, blimp, dirigible, zeppelin, Graf Zeppelin
- Ballooninghot air balloon, hot air balloons, balloon, gas balloons, balloonist
lighter-than-airheavier-than-air
Denser than atmosphere
sinking · heavy · dense · grounded · earthbound
lighter-than-airheavy
Of great mass
leaden · weighty · ponderous · massive · substantial
lighter-than-airheavier-than-air
Denser than atmosphere
fixed-wing · airplane · jet · helicopter · rotorcraft
light, lightly, lighten, lighter, lightness, enlighten, enlightened, lightest, enlightenment