I was digging some more on the NYZMA/Sonora Aero Club connections and came across this video. Supposedly this project was discontinued.

But it goes to show how the theory might be viable. If the Cabal could create viable airships as early as the 1860s they would own the skies and these would tip the balance in traditional warfare.

Note the name of this ship: Aeros

Basically the Cabal owns the skies and controls the world through air dominance.