Abstract: An airship has a gas bag for containing lifting gas, which gas bag is located within an outer envelope. The envelope, made of flexible material, is made rigid by the pressure of the gas in the gas bag. A hollow ring surrounds the gas bag and is coupled to the envelope as well as support decking located below the gas bag. On one of the decks is located a propulsion unit and horizontal and vertical control surfaces. Vertical flight is controlled with the control surfaces as well as by moving gas in and out of the gas bag. The gas from the gas bag is stored within the hollow ring. Vertical flight is also controlled by an expandable diaphragm located below the gas bag; when inflated, the diaphragm compresses the gas bag. Vertical flight is also controlled by adjusting the top shape of the envelope so as to compress the gas bag. When the airship is on the ground, a suction between the deck and the ground maintains the airship in a parked condition.