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If you grew up watching blimps drift lazily above stadiums, you know there's a peaceful, almost poetic appeal to lighter-than-air flight. Remote control airships — blimps, dirigibles, and tethered balloons with propulsion and steering — capture that feeling on a hobbyist scale. They’re slower and more forgiving than drones, which makes them excellent for beginners, indoor demonstrations, advertising, and scenic flying. Think of them as the gliders of the sky: less about acrobatics, more about grace and control.
At first glance, an airship and a drone both fall into the “remote-controlled flying object” bucket. But the key differences are in buoyancy and behavior. Airships rely on buoyant gas or large, lightweight envelopes to stay aloft; drones depend on rapidly spinning rotors. That means airships drift slower, respond gently to control inputs, and usually fly at lower speeds and altitudes — often within a few hundred feet of the ground. If you want an aerial camera that hovers on a dime, a drone might be better. If you want relaxed flight, long flight times, and a showpiece that’s as much visual art as gadgetry, an airship wins.
When you're ready to buy, several US retailers carry remote control airships ranging from toy-grade blimps to hobby-grade dirigibles. Below are trusted stores with varied selections, customer reviews, and shipping options across the United States.
Amazon is a go-to for many hobbyists because it aggregates toy-grade blimps, rechargeable accessories, and user reviews in one place. You’ll find inflatable blimps for indoor flying, small helium-compatible models, and beginner bundles with chargers and spare propellers. If you want wide choice and lots of customer feedback, Amazon is a safe first stop. Look for listings that include flight time in minutes and guidance on recommended flying area in feet.
Walmart carries several low- to mid-range RC airships that are great for kids and casual hobbyists. The prices tend to be wallet-friendly, and some stores even stock seasonal or promotional blimps suitable for backyard flights. If you like hands-on shopping — checking size in person or picking up batteries — Walmart’s brick-and-mortar presence can be handy. Expect toy-grade builds that weigh a few ounces and fly for 8–15 minutes per charge.
Target occasionally stocks popular RC blimps and novelty airships, often curated for family-friendly play. The models you’ll find here are usually easy to operate, come with bright envelopes, and include simple controllers suitable for kids and beginners. Target’s selection is ideal if you want a no-fuss, visually appealing model for short flights inside gymnasiums or spacious living rooms.
HobbyTown is where you go when you want more than a plug-and-play toy. They stock hobby-grade airships and offer expert staff who can help with helium recommendations, payload mounting, and control system upgrades. HobbyTown locations often run local flying events and have communities of enthusiasts who share tips about rigging, ballast, and safe flying distances measured in feet. Expect models here to be larger — often several feet long — and built for repeatable, repairable use.
For larger, higher-performance airships, Horizon Hobby and Tower Hobbies are two well-known online destinations. These retailers specialize in serious RC gear: modular gondolas, precision control surfaces, and options to add lightweight cameras or LED arrays. If you want a craft that can carry a small camera or deliver a light show across a backyard, these stores sell parts and upgrade kits measured in inches and ounces so you can tune flight characteristics precisely.
B&H is famous for cameras, but they also stock remote control airships suited for lightweight aerial photography or display purposes. If your goal is to lift a sub-1 pound camera (less than 16 ounces), B&H’s catalog can help you match payload specs to airship buoyancy and tethering gear. The site also has expert reviews and technical specs that spell out recommended flight altitudes in feet and runtime expectations in minutes.
Not all airships are created equal. Choose the type that fits your goals: casual indoor play, backyard entertainment, photography, or hobbyist tinkering. Below are the common categories you’ll encounter and what you should expect in imperial units.
These are the common lightweight models you see in retail stores. They’re typically 18–48 inches long and weigh under a pound. Flight times range from 8 to 20 minutes per battery charge. They’re ideal for kids and indoor flying — think living room or gymnasium, with maneuvering space measured in feet rather than acres. Durable but limited in upgrades, they're inexpensive and forgiving.
Hobby-grade models are larger, often 4–8 feet long, and built for repairs and upgrades. They use high-quality envelope materials, replaceable motors, and radio systems with better range — sometimes reaching a few hundred feet. Flight time can exceed 30 minutes when balanced properly with ballast and efficient motors. These are for enthusiasts who like to tweak performance and add lightweight cameras or lights.
Tethered systems are used for advertising and events. They remain anchored but can be steered and lit up for displays. While less portable, tethered blimps can stay aloft for hours and cover a display area in feet and yards. These are more specialized and typically purchased through event suppliers or dedicated hobby retailers.
Shopping for an airship can feel technical, but focus on a few core specs: envelope length, payload capacity, flight time, control range, and weight. Envelope length determines how much buoyant lift you get; a 4-foot envelope can carry a few ounces, while an 8-foot envelope supports more gear. Battery life is listed in minutes, and control range is usually given in feet — make sure these numbers match where you plan to fly. Don’t forget to check the maximum recommended wind speed; many toy-grade models struggle in breezes over 10–15 mph.
Accessorizing your airship is where the fun begins. Common add-ons include spare propellers, replacement motors, lightweight camera mounts, LED lighting strips, and improved radio transmitters. If you’re lifting a camera, plan for a payload measured in ounces — every extra ounce reduces flight time and increases the envelope size you’ll need. Lightweight carbon-fiber frames measured in inches can hold cameras securely while keeping overall weight low.
Most electric airships use small lithium polymer batteries or rechargeable NiMH packs. Battery life is usually listed in minutes, and charging times can range from 30 minutes to a few hours. Keep spare batteries on hand if you’re planning a session measured in hours, and always use manufacturer-recommended chargers to avoid battery damage. When storing batteries, keep them at recommended charge levels and temperatures to prolong lifespan.
LED strips and small light arrays turn your airship into a nighttime spectacle. Lightweight LEDs that add only a few ounces can be arranged along the envelope or gondola for a dramatic effect. For legal night flying, check local rules — some areas require visible lighting at certain distances measured in feet — and avoid blinding or distracting people on the ground.
Flying an airship is a deliberate, patient process. Start with these practical tips to make your first flights safe and enjoyable.
Airships are most fun on calm days. Wind is measured in miles per hour, and for most hobby models you’ll want conditions under 10–15 mph. Strong gusts turn a tranquil drift into a frantic tug-of-war. Early mornings and late evenings often offer calmer winds.
Indoor flying is great for toy-grade blimps — large indoor spaces let you practice turns and vertical control measured in feet without worrying about wind. Outdoor flights require more planning: clear open fields, a buddy to assist with launches, and awareness of trees or power lines within a few hundred feet. Always plan for safe recovery if your airship loses lift or electronics fail.
Getting the right buoyancy balance is like tuning a musical instrument. If your airship floats too high, add lightweight ballast in ounces; if it’s sluggish, remove weight or add gentle trim to the tail. Use small adjustments — a few ounces at a time — and test in short flights measured in minutes to refine performance.
Regular maintenance is simple but essential. Inspect the envelope for tiny punctures, check seams for wear, and clean grime off the gondola. Small repairs can usually be handled with adhesive repair patches that measure just a few inches across. Motors and propellers may need periodic replacement; keeping spares on hand in ounces and inches makes field repairs faster and gets you back in the air.
Safety matters. Even small airships can interfere with aircraft if flown near airports, which are measured in feet and miles from your flying site. Check FAA guidelines for unmanned aircraft if you plan to fly beyond visual line of sight or attach cameras. Keep flights below recommended altitudes — typically under a few hundred feet — and always avoid flying over people, roads, or private property without permission.
Expect toy-grade blimps to cost anywhere from around $20 to $100. Hobby-grade and modular kits range from $150 to $1,000 or more depending on size (measured in feet) and complexity. For most beginners, a $50–$200 model from a large retailer like Amazon or Walmart offers the best mix of value, availability, and ease of replacement parts. If you want to invest in a larger, more capable craft, HobbyTown and Horizon Hobby provide parts and technical support that justify the higher spend.
If you’re buying your first airship, think about what will make you happiest: casual indoor fun, backyard displays, or a camera-ready platform. For kids and families, start with a small inflatable blimp from Amazon, Target, or Walmart — something under 3 feet long that flies 10–15 minutes. For hobbyists interested in upgrades and photography, shop HobbyTown or Horizon Hobby for 4–8 foot envelopes and modular gondolas. If you want a showpiece for events, contact specialty suppliers for tethered blimps and LED systems measured in feet and yards.
Remote control airships offer a calm, contemplative flying experience that stands out from the frenetic world of racing drones and fast quadcopters. They invite curiosity, patience, and creativity — qualities that make them great for families, educators, and makers. With a handful of reliable US retailers offering everything from inexpensive starter models to hobbyist-grade kits, getting airborne is easier than you might think. So why not give one a try? You might discover a peaceful slice of the sky that’s been waiting for you.
Conclusion: Remote control airships blend art, engineering, and tranquility. Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly toy at Walmart or Amazon, seeking upgradeable kits at HobbyTown or Horizon Hobby, or planning a professional display, the US market has options to match your goals. Start small, learn to trim your craft measured in ounces and feet, and enjoy the slow, satisfying dance of lighter-than-air flight.
