Definition
A power-driven, lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered. It uses a gas (typically helium) inside a large envelope to provide lift, and engines with control surfaces to provide thrust and directional control.
Plain English
A flying craft that floats in the air because it is filled with a gas lighter than the surrounding air, and has engines and steering so the pilot can drive it where they want to go.
Context Anchor
Seen when FAA material distinguishes different kinds of aircraft, especially lighter-than-air aircraft such as balloons and airships.
Derivation
A simple combination of 'air' and 'ship.' Early designers thought of these craft as ships that sailed through the air rather than across water — they were navigated, steered, and crewed in a similar way.
Why Pilots Care
An airship is handled and trained for differently than an airplane, helicopter, or unpowered balloon, so the pilot needs to know exactly which kind of aircraft the lesson or rule is talking about.
Intuition Check
Do not read “airship” as just any aircraft. In aviation use, an airship means a powered, steerable aircraft that floats because of lifting gas.
Example Sentence 1
The Goodyear airship circled above the stadium during the football game.
Example Sentence 2
In the handbook the instructor contrasted airplanes, helicopters, and airships to show different lift principles.