ZERO-G Weightless Experience
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ZERO-G Weightless Experience
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zero Gravity Corporation? (back
to top) Through the co-founders' great determination, ZERO-G
was granted permission by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in
2002 to conduct passenger-related parabolic flights. Although operating
under the standard FAA Part-121 certificate governing traditional passenger
airlines, special exemptions and certificates were needed for the seating
configuration, enhanced hydraulic system and passenger safety procedures. ZERO-G's first commercial flights departed from Fort
Lauderdale, Florida in 2004. Since then, ZERO-G has conducted over 100
flights in numerous cities across the United States. In 2006, ZERO-G
began offering flights from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida using
the Shuttle Landing Facility. Beginning in April 2007, ZERO-G will begin
departures from Las Vegas, Nevada as well. The mission of ZERO-G is to perform as the premier space
entertainment and tourism company offering a wide range of compelling
programs, products, and services that enable the general public to personally
experience the excitement of space and to make the excitement and adventure
of space accessible to the public in a safe, fun, and cost-effective
fashion. Are there other companies in
the U.S. offering this type of service? (back
to top) How does parabolic flight work? (back
to top) Specially
trained pilots fly parabolic maneuvers between approximately 24,000
and 32,000 feet altitude. The plane is initially heading upwards until
it reaches the peak of the parabola and at the point at which the captain
reaches the appropriate altitude; he flies into a shape of a parabola.
It is over the top of the parabola that gravity is perfectly defied
and guests inside experience weightlessness. When inside the aircraft,
it is extremely smooth and you are unable to tell which direction the
airplane is facing as it becomes a magical floating room. For about
30 seconds everything in the plane is completely weightless. After
the pilot has sustained the maneuver to the maximum time, he begins
to gain altitude again as he gently "pulls out" of the parabola
and repeats it again. In between parabolas, everything in the aircraft
becomes heavy as the pull out generates about 1.8 g's of force, What is ZERO-G the Weightless
Experience like? (back to top) After
a few moments of feeling pressed gently into the floor as you experience
1.8g's, the Flight Director will call out "Martian
1" and you begin to feel lighter. Okay, so you haven't done a pushup
since Junior High, but suddenly it doesn't seem that difficult - even
if you are only using one finger. Between parabolas you assume the prone position on the
floor as you mentally prepare what you want to do on the next parabola. Then
you hear "Lunar 1" and
jump up excitedly to see what this will feel like. Whoops - where'd
that ceiling come from? Around you, you see two teenagers playing catch
with their father - yes, he's the ball. "ZERO-G." It's
like nothing on Earth. Fly like Superman; drink a bubble of water floating
by you; walk up the side of the plane; let your imagination stretch. It is an experience that few have tried, but those who
have call it amazing and life-changing. It's a feeling of true freedom,
a place where the impossible becomes real. Parabolic flight is the only
way to create sustained weightlessness without going into space. During
a parabola, you have 25 times more hang-time than the best basketball
player, and are more acrobatic than any Olympic gold medalist. For once,
you are in a realm where the law of gravity has lost its throne. It's
the stuff dreams are made of. it's ZERO-G! Experiences such as bungee jumping, skydiving, and the
peak of a trampoline jump provide a momentary awareness of weightlessness
but don't compare to a ZERO-G Weightless Flight. Parabolic flights are
the only way to create sustained weightlessness without going into space. The entire ZERO-G weightless experience takes 3-4 hours.
This includes an initial orientation meeting, transportation to the aircraft,
FAA screening, ferrying to the fly zone, the weightless maneuvers, return
ferrying to the airport and a follow-up re-gravitation party (a champagne
celebration following a weightless flight where passengers are toasted
and provided with complimentary ZERO-G merchandise). The typical flight for the ZERO-G Experience, which
features 15 parabolas, lasts approximately 90 minutes. During the weightless
maneuvers (called parabolas) you experience two Lunar (1/6th gravity)
and three Martian (1/3rd gravity) sessions, followed by approximately
10 total zero-g parabolas. Each parabola provides about 30 seconds of
weightlessness. By the end of the flight you will log about 10 minutes
of weightless - that's more zero gravity time than Alan Shepard experienced
on America's first human spaceflight. Thirty seconds is actually a lot of time, especially
in zero gravity. In perspective, 30 seconds is five times longer than
the average bungee jump and about the same length of time as the average
free-fall during skydiving. The advantage of a ZERO-G flight is that
you get to do this over and over again. You'll be able to fly like Superman,
conduct experiments and flip and twist like an Olympic gymnast. During
the training session, your Team Coach will present a number of "Fun Weightless Tricks" that
we have designed for your education and pleasure during parabolic flight.
You will also be encouraged to use your imagination and create your
own weightless activities. The most important thing to remember is
to have fun! During the zero-g portion of the flight, you will experience
weightlessness or zero-gravity. During the pull-out (or high-g) portion
of the flight when you are seated on the padded floor, you will experience
about twice your normal body weight. The g-loads encountered during parabolic
flight are less stressful than those felt on a roller coaster ride. The transition from the zero-g portion of the flight
to the high-g segment is done gradually with an alert given by the pilot.
In addition, the Flight Director, Flight Attendants, and Coaches are
on hand to make sure that you are well taken care of during flight. As part of your ticket price, your weightless experience
will be captured with both still photographs as well as video. Each floating
area of the aircraft is equipped with mounted video cameras and ZERO-G
also has a staff photographer onboard ready to capture your adventure
from start to the very last parabola. Of course, you are welcome to bring
your own camera or small handheld video camera as well. Where does ZERO-G fly from? (back
to top) Our aircraft (named G-Force One) can be taken to an
airport of their choice, as long as it can accommodate a Boeing 727-200,
if they wish to charter an entire flight. For more details and pricing
information contact: John Baumgartner for flights in the Western Region:
(858) 344-3437 Flight dates and locations for our currently scheduled
flights are on our website www.GoZeroG.com. What airspace does ZERO-G use
for its flights? (back to top) What type of aircraft does ZERO-G
use for its parabolic flight service? (back
to top) It is nearly identical in size and volume to NASA's
KC-135, yet is about 20 years newer. The Boeing 727's center-body mounted
engines and T-tail enable excellent flight characteristics that provides
for very smooth and stable parabolas. Additionally, the aircraft features
a built-in pallet system that supports a variety of interior configurations
that can be quickly loaded and unloaded to accommodate a range of customer
requirements. ZERO-G worked with various parts of the FAA including
the Aircraft Certification Office and the Seattle engineering office
to do a thorough evaluation of the 727 to make sure that all operations
are conducted safely and held to the FAA's highest standards. ZERO-G's testing included an evaluation of all major
subsystems including the engines, fuel system, hydraulics, constant speed
drive, air cycle machines, etc. The major modification enabling the Boeing 727 to conduct
Weightless Flight involves an upgrade to the aircraft's hydraulic system.
The modification allows for continuous hydraulic pressure during the
performance of parabolas. The modification, along with the addition of
accelerometers in the cockpit, were tested and approved by the FAA under
a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Using
a 60,000 node finite-element structural computer model and data from
a series of test-flights (during which the aircraft was extensively
strain-gauged), ZERO-G was able to demonstrate structural airframe
safety to the FAA. No structural modifications to the aircraft exterior
are required. The FAA has approved a series scheduled inspections under
our "Continued Airworthiness Program" to
insure continued aircraft's safety. Parabolic flight causes no undue stress on the aircraft.
G-load stress on the 727 during parabolic flights ranges from 0 G's to
+1.8 G's. The Boeing 727-200 was originally certified by Boeing to stresses
ranging from -1 G to +2.5G. ZERO-G's operations are well within Boeing's
original specifications. In addition, ZERO-G has implemented a maintenance
inspection program based on a detailed structural analysis. Are parabolic flights safe? (back
to top) The
most "dangerous" part of
the flight is when the weightless people you're flying with get too
excited and bump or kick you! ZERO-G flights are fully insured, just like every commercial
airline. Because ZERO-G operates under Part-121 of the FAA's rules, your
individual life insurance is valid (unlike parabolic flights onboard
NASA's KC-135 or the Russian IL-76 military aircraft). In addition, ZERO-G
carries $2 million per seat of passenger liability insurance, as well
as $200 million in hull insurance and third part liability through the
aircraft operator. What is ZERO-G's policy on returns
and rescheduling? (back to top) Cancellation due to less than full capacity - Any flight
which has less than 60% of its seat capacity sold by 5 pm Pacific Time
on the date which is two weeks before the scheduled flight date can be
cancelled at the option of ZERO-G. ZERO-G shall notify all passengers
with reservations for the cancelled flight at the telephone and email
address provided for the passenger at the time of reservation and shall
help reschedule the passenger to another flight, or, if another flight
is not available for the passenger, refund the entire purchase price
paid for the flight. Exchanges, transfers and refunds - ZERO-G and The Sharper
Image will provide purchasers at least seven days from the date of purchase
of a flight to obtain a refund (except that if the flight for which a
seat is purchased is within ten days of purchase, ZERO-G and The Sharper
Image are not obligated to provide a refund). After seven days, seats
are not refundable, but ZERO-G shall permit a seat to be transferred
to another person otherwise meeting the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions for participation then in effect. Once a passenger reserves
a specific flight, the reservation can be exchanged for another flight
up to ten days prior to the scheduled flight, with payment of a $250.00
change fee to ZERO-G and up to 24 hours prior to a reserved flight, the
passenger can transfer the reserved seat to another person who can meet
the qualifications, limitations and restrictions for participation then
in effect. How do I buy a ticket and book
a flight? (back to top) Along with your confirmation, you will receive a packet
of guest forms. Guests are requested to complete and return their forms
to ZERO-G within 10 days. In the event forms are not received within
two weeks, a Guest Services Team Member will contact the guest via telephone
and answer questions. Guests booking seats within two weeks of the scheduled
mission will be required to complete and return forms immediately. Guests
will be permitted to return forms to ZERO-G the day of the mission. A Guest Schedule Letter will be distributed a minimum
of two weeks prior to the flight day. Any and all seats booked within
the two week window will be distributed a schedule letter the day of
booking. How will weather effect scheduled
ZERO-G flights? (back to top) Flight times: There are generally 2 to 3 flights per
day starting at about 9:00 AM and leaving as late at 4:00 PM. We typically
fly on Saturdays and Sundays. Location Flexibility: Because we are not traveling to
a specific city, we are able to take off out of Las Vegas (for example)
and fly North, South, East or West in order to get to a region of clear
air for our parabolic flights. The FAA has been very supportive in this
regard. Who gets to take advantage
of the ZERO-G Weightless Experience? (back
to top) Corporate & Incentive - A corporate charter or group
flight consists of 10 or more individual seats used for corporate promotions,
product launches, client or employee incentives, team building or any
other corporate use. Charter or group seats are sold through ZERO-G or
one of their authorized sales agents. Film and Entertainment- Production companies have used
ZERO-G flights to film movies, television shows and commercials. Research - A weightless environment is often conducive
for conducting research experiments. Companies who book these flights
frequently request an increased number of parabolas during a flight and
often have other special needs. Education - One of the largest markets for ZERO-G is
flying teachers in order give them a real experience that they can take
back to their classrooms. ZERO-G frequently works with State agencies,
corporate sponsors, Space and Science Museums and other foundations to
develop educational programs including parabolic flights for students. Government - As part of the governmental initiative
for privatization, ZERO-G has performed training and research flights
for NASA and is currently pursing a long-term contract to perform these
flights. ZERO-G has also conducted weightless flights for other governmental
agencies. Will I experience motion sickness? (back
to top) While it's true that some people on NASA's KC-135 airplane
get motion sick, our incidence of motion sickness is significantly lower.
NASA typically flies anywhere from 40 to 80 parabolas during a typical
mission. These flights are focused on maximizing science data, not on
flyer comfort. NASA's experience is that most people do well for the
first 20 parabolas. ZERO-G has taken the following steps to maximize your
comfort: We limit the number of parabolas for our public flights
to about 15. Research has shown that 25 parabolas is the amount at which
many people feel motion sick and we stay far beneath that number to alleviate
cases of motion sickness. We "ease" into
weightlessness by first conducting Martian-g parabolas (1/3-g), followed
by Lunar-g parabolas (1/6-g) parabolas, before getting to our zero-g
parabolas. In this fashion you can get used to the reduced weightlessness
in a gradual fashion that will reduce anxiety and reduce motion sickness. Because these flights are all about your comfort, enjoyment
and safety, we will typically place a few minutes of straight and level
flight interspersed into our flight profile. We prescribe light meals low in proteins or dairy products
during the day of the flight. As part of the weightless experience, we offer our passengers
the option, and facilitate the acquisition, of a prescription for an
airsickness medication that does not make you sleepy. ZERO-G provides
these medications as part of the weightless flight experience. Dramamine
is also available. Passengers who obtain this prescription rarely have
any problems. Should anyone get motion sick, we have a fully dedicated
flight attendant onboard assigned to take care of that person. Do customers receive pre-flight
training and information? (back to top) Check-In Orientation and Safety Video ZERO-G has about 20 full time employees dedicated to
fulfilling our guests' dreams of experiencing weightlessness. In addition,
we draw on the talents of numerous part time employees in the in-flight
department. Are there medical or age restrictions? (back
to top) All passengers will be asked to sign a Medical History
Form that includes a series of questions pertaining to certain medical
conditions. If you do not have any of these conditions, it will not be
necessary to consult with a doctor. If you do have any of the indicated
conditions, you must confer with your personal physician for permission
to fly with ZERO-G. In general, if you can ride an amusement park roller
coaster, then you can safely experience parabolic flight. We do not currently offer the Zero Gravity Weightless
Flight experience to someone confined to a wheelchair. This is due to
FAA restrictions which we have been able to have waived, after considerable
effort, in order to accommodate Professor Stephen Hawking. Based on the
success of his flight at the end of April 2007, we may be able to get
FAA clearance for this service in the future. However, as government
agencies are notoriously slow in changing any regulation, we cannot guarantee
when, or if, this may occur. We feel this would be a rewarding opportunity
for many people.
Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G®) is the only FAA approved provider
of commercial parabolic (weightless) flights in the United States.
We are headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. We provide a truly weightless
experience aboard a specially designed Boeing 727-200 aircraft utilizing
the same methodology as NASA uses in training their astronauts.
No. ZERO-G is the only company in the world to offer weightless flights to
the public. While NASA uses a KC-135 Air Force aircraft for its own experiments,
this airplane is not certified by the FAA and is not available to the public
for flights nor special events. The only other country with a weightless flight
program available for non-government passengers is Russia.
The weightless experience offered by ZERO-G is not simulated. It is
the result of the same principles that cause astronauts in orbit to
experience zero-gravity and provides an experience that is truly "Like Nothing on Earth".
Your flight begins like any other commercial flight. You taxi out to
the runway and await permission to take off. Once granted, the captain
flies out for about a half an hour to the airspace that the FAA has
designated as our playground for the day. About the time the captain
of a commercial flight would be turning off the seatbelt sign, you
are given the okay to unbuckle your seatbelt and truly "move about the cabin".
Your team leader will guide you to the floating area and instruct you
to lay on the padded floor to prepare for the first parabola.
Our two primary flight locations are the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida
and Las Vegas, Nevada. When flying from KSC, ZERO-G operates from the Shuttle
Landing Facility (SLF). In Las Vegas, we fly from an executive terminal of
the McCarran International Airport just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Edwin Lorse for flights in the Eastern Region (954) 756-1000
ZERO-G conducts flights within a FAA-assigned airspace that is approximately
100 miles long and 10 miles wide. The parabolic maneuver is typically performed
in a 10,000-foot block of airspace at 24,000 to 32,000 feet altitude.
A Boeing 727-200. After an extensive evaluation process, ZERO-G selected the
Boeing 727-200 cargo aircraft over alternatives including the Boeing 707, 727,
737, and 757, and the DC-9. Routinely used by commercial carriers, the 727-200
characteristics include economical operations and maintenance, rapid availability
of parts and servicing, and conformity to FAA noise abatement standards. The
aircraft has a large cargo door and an 80-foot long floating zone.
YES, extremely safe. Safety is ZERO-G's number one priority. NASA, The Department
of Defense, the Russian Space Program, and the European Space Agency (ESA)
have performed parabolic flights for 45 years without incident. NASA alone
has performed more than 150,000 parabolas on aircraft such as the KC-135, DC-9,
and Learjet-25. ZERO-G is committed to maintaining this record of safety by
emulating NASA's best practice standards and utilizing expert and experienced
staff.
Weather or aircraft cancellations - Passengers for flights which are delayed
or cancelled due to aircraft maintenance or weather conditions will be rescheduled
to another flight leaving within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time of
the delayed or cancelled flight. If ZERO-G cannot reschedule another flight
within that 24 hour period, ZERO-G will provide the passenger with a full refund
of the entire purchase price paid, or offer to reschedule the flight to another
date and provide the passenger with a certificated for $500.00 off the price
of a second Weightless Flight.
Purchase a
numbered flight certificate by clicking on the
Place Order button at the top of the page. You
will use that certificate and number to choose a flight and book your seat
using the schedule and reservation system at the ZERO-G Website. You will be
contacted immediately to confirm your reservation and to answer any and all
questions. Guest confirmations will be distributed automatically within 24
hours when reserving a seat on-line.
Weather delays for ZERO-G flights are rare, parabolic airspace can be assigned
in many places so if there were to be a delay or issue regarding weather, it
wouldn't be any different than any other commercial aircraft.
In addition to Individual seats aboard ZERO-G Weightless Flights, offered exclusively
through The Sharper Image, ZERO-G offers groups and fully chartered flights
for the following uses:
It's very unlikely that you will experience motion sickness. Although, a small
fraction of our customers feel motion sick, ZERO-G has taken a number of steps
to minimize the incidence of motion sickness and make your experience a fun,
comfortable and inspirational flight.
Yes. All guests receive a full educational program and safety briefing to prepare
them for the flight.
First you will go to "check-in" at your flight center. This is
where we'll make sure you've filled out all your waiver forms and other
information. You'll also get to try on your flight suit and make sure you
have the right size. It's yours to take home with you. Once you've checked
in, you can head into the orientation room and enjoy a light breakfast
on us.
The orientation and safety video goes over everything you need to know before
you board the plane and while you're on it. There will be a short question
and answer session after the screening of the video. You must watch the orientation
and safety video in its entirety in order to board the airplane. If you leave
the room at any time during the screening, you will have to watch the video
again in its entirety. This could jeopardize your flight status. No exceptions.
The video lasts approximately 30 minutes. Be sure to use the restroom before
it video begins. We will be passing out colored armbands immediately following
the video that verify that you screened the entire presentation. Without
this armband you will not be able to board the plane.
Yes. Our minimum age for passengers is 12 when flying with a parent or guardian
and 15 when flying without adult supervision. We have no maximum age limit
and have had several passengers in their 90's enjoy our experience.
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