Giant zeppelin headed for Sonoma County

<p>A 250-foot-long zeppelin, billed as the world's largest airship, will be flying over Sonoma County beginning Thursday and continuing over the weekend.</p><p>The Eureka, at 246 feet long and 64 feet wide, stretches 15 feet longer than a standard Boeing 747 and 50 feet longer than the largest commercial blimps flying today, said Jon Stout, manager of the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport</p><p>The ship is an authentic zeppelin, built in Friedrichshafen, Germany, one of only two such aircraft flying in the world.</p><p>Airship Ventures, owner and operator of the Eureka, is selling passenger flights from the Santa Rosa airport from Thursday through Sunday and again Oct. 19-22. Three flight options -- 45 minutes, one hour and two hours -- will showcase Wine Country from 1,000 feet.</p><p>The Eureka holds 12 passengers and two crew members and is filled with nonflammable helium. Flights start at $375 per person. A one-hour, behind-the-scenes ground tour is also available for $40.</p><p>Tours are by reservation only.</p><p>For information or to book flights online, visit www.airshipventures.com or call (650) 969-8100 ext. 111.</p>