{WASC 2022} Airship

As Erda is made of floating continents, the only way of travelling between them is by flying machines. Airships are the most common method of trans-continental travel is via airships. This travel technology has been perfected over more than a millenium, making them more than able to withstand the incredibly strong inter-continental winds.
Airships are used mainly for passenger and cargo transport between continents and through the continents, seldom serving any military purpose due to their lack of maneuverability on short distances.

Production d'Énergie

Most airships are powered through electrical generators which both allow for the comfort of passengers (electricity, light, etc.) and maneuvering the ship with propellers. The largest airships are equipped with propellers all along the rigid frame of the balloon, to help maneuver against the winds. During calmer trips, turbines along the ship also help with power generation.

Moyen de Propulsion

Airships are mostly reliant on winds to get around. Taking off and landing do require propulsors, as well as sterring, but the speed of the aircraft is entirely dependant on winds, which are very well documented and understood by aerologists. The airships don't take the shortest path to their destination, but the one most suited to drift from wind current to wind current to their destination, especially for inter-continental travel.

Armure et Moyen de Défense

Most aircrafts aren't well defended. They are, in essence, a gas-filled balloon stretched onto a rigid frame, which makes them rather vulnerable to attacks. Considering the navigation in inter-continental flights, the risk of an outsider attack is so negligible that defense is not really a concern for maufacturers. However, armed ships for military warfare do exist, especially in to resupply armies more than to attack in itself, airships not being a particularly fast method of transportation.

Systèmes et Outils de Communication

Airships have a specific communication system (Aerostat Communication System or ASCom). This allows for proximity communication with other airships, and communication to the mainland at some distance. All airships still end up without communications during a substantial ammount of time during inter-continental flights.

Désignation

Depends on country

Vitesse

Highly depends on the winds.

Capacité de Fret et de Passagers

Depends on airship model. Largest commercial airship has a 600+ passengers capacity. Largest cargo airships can carry more than 1000 tons of cargo.