Editing Zeppelin NT (section)

==Development==
The modern development and construction embodied by the Zeppelin NT had been financed by a long-standing endowment, which had been initially funded with money left over from the earlier Zeppelin company, that had been under the trusteeship of the Mayor of [[Friedrichshafen]]. A stipulation had been placed upon the endowment that limited the use of its funds to the field of airships. Over the many years, the investment value of the endowment grew to a point where it had become viable for the funds to be put to use for the purpose of designing, developing, and constructing of a new generation of Zeppelins.

In 1988, the first considerations into the technological and economic feasibility of reviving the Zeppelin industry began; this included examinations of historic Zeppelin documentation as well as current designs for airships.<ref name = "off hist">[http://zeppelin-nt.de/en/zeppelin-NT/history.html "History: From first concept, to series production."] ''Zeppelin NT'', Retrieved: 7 July 2016.</ref> In December 1990, a feasibility study and accompanying market research program found an initial sales potential for around eighty Zeppelin airships for purposes such as tourism, advertising, and scientific research. In mid 1991, the newly formed development team filed several patents on various technologies that would be later used on the subsequent airship, these included propeller arrangements, structure and girder design, and [[ballonet]] implementation.<ref name = "off hist"/> In March 1991, a flyable remote control [[proof of concept]] model was demonstrated, which is claimed to have revealed excellent flight characteristics from the onset.<ref name = "off hist"/>

In September 1993, the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH (ZLT) was founded in Friedrichshafen as a corporate spin-off of the original Zeppelin company to pursue development and production of the new generation of Zeppelins, later known as the Zeppelin NT (New Technology). By spring 1994, preparatory studies for a full-sized prototype were underway.<ref name = "off hist"/> In 1995, the [[Luftfahrt-Bundesamt]], Germany's [[civil aviation authority]], officially recognized ZLT as a design organisation, and approved new construction regulations for airships. In November 1995, final assembly of the first airship prototype commenced, it was promoted as being the first rigid airship to be produced by the firm since the [[Second World War]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/zeppelin-prototype-enters-final-assembly-23185/ "Zeppelin prototype enters final assembly."] ''Flight International'', 22 November 1995.</ref> In July 1996, the under-construction prototype of the Zeppelin N07 was presented to the public and the media.<ref name = "off hist"/> In September 1997, the prototype performed its [[maiden flight]] at Friedrichshafen; piloted by US test pilot Scott Danneker, it flew for a total of 40 minutes.<ref name = "off hist"/><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/zeppelin-flies-nt-airship-prototype-24865/ "Zeppelin flies NT airship prototype."] ''Flight International'', 8 October 1997.</ref>

On 8 August 1998, the Zeppelin N07 prototype performed a cross-country flight via [[Altenrhein]], Switzerland to [[Echterdingen]] near [[Stuttgart]], Germany; at the end of this journey, the prototype also accomplished its first [[Mooring mast|masting]] away from Friedrichshafen upon landing at [[Stuttgart Airport]].<ref name = "off hist"/> The test program included noise level measurements, avionics tests, and take-offs and landings. In October 1999, the prototype completed a {{cvt|680|km|mi}} journey, its longest distance flight at that point. According to the manufacturer, the Zeppelin N07 prototype had proven the technical design by mid 1998, and thus could be applied to production models without major modifications.<ref name = "off hist"/>

On 2 July 2000, the centennial of the first [[Zeppelin]] flight, the prototype was christened ''D-LZFN Friedrichshafen'' by Count Zeppelin's granddaughter, Elisabeth Veil.<ref name = "off hist"/> In July 2000, the prototype performed a high-profile tour of Germany, travelled more than {{cvt|3600|km|mi}} in about 75 flight hours and appearing at the [[Expo 2000]] at [[Hannover]]. By December 2000, the flight test programme was completed; during which, the prototype had accumulated in excess of 800 flight hours over roughly 220 flights.<ref name = "off hist"/> In June 2001, the prototype appeared at the [[Paris Air Show]], the occasion being the first time that a Zeppelin had cruised above [[Paris]] since the 1920s.<ref name = "off hist"/><ref>Delves, Bernie. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/zeppelin-back-with-a-bounce-131765/ "Zeppelin back with a bounce."] ''Flight International'', 18 June 2001.</ref>

In May 1999, the production of the components for the first production airship was started.<ref name = "off hist"/> In February 2000, the support structure assembly of the first series airship was completed, while the envelope was attached to the support structure in May that year.<ref name = "off hist"/> In 2001, the company formally commenced series manufacturing of the Zeppelin NT, and began the commercial exploitation of the airships. In April 2001, the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt issued [[type certification]] for the Zeppelin N07, a key step towards commercial operations; that same month, ZLT became a certified airship-manufacturing company.<ref name = "off hist"/> On 19 May 2001, the first production airship conducted its maiden flight, flying for two and a half hours. On 10 August 2001, the first production airship ''SN 02'' was christened ''D-LZZR Bodensee'' by [[Carl, Duke of Württemberg]]; five days later, it began providing commercial passenger services, initially involving one-hour sightseeing flights over [[Lake Constance]] to members of the public up to ten times per day.<ref name = "off hist"/>