What is ZERO-G the Weightless Experience like?

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.

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!

Can you experience weightlessness on Earth without flying in an aircraft?
No. Parabolic flights is the only way to experience true, sustained weightlessness (up to 30 seconds at a time) without going into space.

How long does the flight last? How long will I be weightless?

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 portion of the ZERO-G Experience lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes. During the flight every customer experiences 15 parabolic arcs, each providing about 30 seconds of reduced gravity or weightlessness. By the end of the flight you will log about 7 to 8 minutes of reduced gravity - that's about as much zero-gravity time as Alan Shepard experienced on America's first human spaceflight.

What can you do in weightlessness in 30 seconds?

Thirty seconds is actually a lot of time, especially in zero gravity. During this time you can fly the length of the cabin, or pop a water balloon and watch the water hover before your eyes, or release a handful of M&Ms and play a game of packman as you chase them down. From a research front, 30 second increments is long enough to effectively test equipment before it is launched on expensive space-bound missions. From a television and filming perspective, 30 seconds is long enough to film TV commercials or film scenes for a movie.

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!

What g-forces will I feel during the parabolic maneuvers?

During the zero-g portion of the flight, you will experience either Martian, Lunar of weightlessness (zero-gravity) depending on the planned flight sequence. During the pull-out (or high-g) portion which precedes each reduced-gravity segment, you will experience about 1.8-times your normal body weight. For these high-g portions all passengers are comfortably lying flat on their back on the padded floor.

Is the transition to high-g sudden?

The transition from the zero-g portion of the flight to the high-g segment is done gradually, over the course of about 10 seconds, with an alert given by the pilot and Flight Director. In addition, each passenger is assigned to a Coach who is on hand to make sure that you are well taken care of during flight.

Will someone on from ZERO-G take photographs or video during the 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 has mounted High Definition (HD) 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 do ZERO-G's fly from?

Zero Gravity Corporation is headquartered in Las Vegas and regularly flies from both Signature Air Terminal at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Central Florida.

Our aircraft, G-FORCE-ONE can be taken to any airport as long as it can accommodate a Boeing 727-200, if a customer wishes to charter an entire flight. For more details and pricing information contact:

CJ at Entertainme World 702-449-8373

Can G-FORCE-ONE, ZERO-G's specially modified Boeing 727, be operated from other airports?

Yes. Customers who purchase an entire flight can request that the Aircraft be ferried to an airport of their choice so long as it can accommodate a Boeing 727-200 aircraft. Customers requesting an alternate airport will need to cover the ferry costs of G-FORCE-ONE. Call 702-449-8373 for additional info on this option.

How does parabolic flight work?

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”.

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 airspace does ZERO-G use for its flights?

ZERO-G conducts flights within a FAA-designated corridor that is approximately 100 miles long and 10 miles wide over unpopulated regions, such as the oceans, the Great Lakes, and deserts. The parabolic maneuver is typically performed in a 10,000-foot block of airspace at 24,000 to 32,000 feet altitude.

How will weather effect scheduled ZERO-G flights?

Weather delays for ZERO-G flights are rare. ZERO-G expects few delays because of the operations tremendous flexibility. The company takes off from Point-A and returns to Point-A and can modify the location of the parabolic flights and the take-off time to avoid bad weather.

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.

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.

What type of aircraft does ZERO-G use for its parabolic flight service?

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.

How does the Boeing 727-200 compare to the aircraft used by NASA?

NASA currently operates a C-9 aircraft, a military version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 to conduct its reduced gravity flight program.

Compared to NASA’s C-9, G-FORCE-ONE is significantly larger, carrying 50% more passengers, and is 75% larger in volume.

The 727 has a built in pallet handling system that allows different interiors to be quickly loaded and unloaded to accommodate various customers.

The 727 is a commercially operated and maintained aircraft allowing for lower cost operations and the rapid availability of parts and servicing.

Because ZERO-G’s 727 is FAA certified, operating under Part-121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, everyone’s life insurance is valid onboard G-FORCE-ONE. This is not the case in NASA’s C-9. In addition, all research clients flying on NASA’s C-9 must first undergo hyperbaric chamber training in case of rapid decompression.
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Did the aircraft have to be modified to perform parabolic maneuvers?

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 Boeing 727-200 to make sure that all operations are conducted safely, 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 ZERO-G’s “Continued Airworthiness Program” to insure continued aircraft’s safety.

Does parabolic flight cause undue stress on the aircraft?

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.

ZERO-G has received U.S. Patent Number 5,971,319, covering the modifications that were made to the Boeing 727-200 and our business model.

Are parabolic flights safe?

YES, extremely safe. Safety is the first and highest priority for ZERO-G. ZERO-G has an outstanding safety record during its first 100 commercial flight and 2,500 passengers flown. In addition, 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, C-9 and Learjet-25. ZERO-G is committed to maintaining this record of safety by emulating NASA's best practice standards and utilizing expert staff.

The most dangerous part of the flight is when the people you’re flying with get too excited and bump or kick you.

Who are ZERO-G’s customers?

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:

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.

Are there medical or age restrictions?

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.

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 and obtain his/her sign-off (a ‘fit to fly’ letter). If you are pregnant, have heart or back problems, you should consult your physician to see if this experience is appropriate for you.

To fly on NASA's C-9 aircraft you need to get certified in a hyperbaric chamber, do I need to do this for a ZERO-G flight?

No. This is not required, and therefore saves our customers a couple of days of time and effort. The reason that NASA requires hyperbaric chamber testing is because they use an Air Force aircraft and the Air Force rules require that any occupants of this aircraft have hyperbaric chamber training.

Will I experience motion sickness?

It’s very unlikely than 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.

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 recommend light meals low in proteins or dairy products during the day of the flight.

As part of the weightless experience, we suggest that our passengers obtain a prescription for an airsickness medication that does not make you sleepy. Dramamine is also available. Passengers who obtain this prescription rarely have any problems.

Should anyone get motion sickness, we have a fully dedicated flight attendant onboard assigned to take care of that person.

Do customers receive pre-flight training and information?

Yes. All guests receive a full educational program and safety briefing to prepare them for the flight.

Check-In
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.

Orientation and Safety Video
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 the 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.

How Can I Book A Seat with ZERO-G?

Call or E Mail us at 702-449-8373. The ZERO-G Experience, which includes a flight of 15 parabolas, flight suit, complimentary merchandise, awards, a post-event party, photos, and a DVD of the flight, is offered at a price of $3,500 per seat.

ZERO-G flights also may be chartered for private flights and events. Since launch of service in 2004, numerous corporate incentive flights have been conducted for companies like American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Google and Cadbury Schweppes.

In addition G-FORCE-ONE has been chartered for private celebrations, birthday parties and research flights. The ZERO-G Experience builds deep common memories that no ordinary gravity-bound exercise can equal. It is a unique way to express gratitude to important clients and partners. Flights can be rewards, incentives, celebrations and even revenue mechanisms for charitable institutions. For the current flight schedule, more information or to book a seat, Call or E Mail us at 702-449-8373.

What is ZERO-G’s policy on returns and rescheduling?

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.

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 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.

What happens after I book a seat?

Upon purchasing a seat, you will be contacted immediately to confirm your purchase and to answer any and all questions.

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.

For more information - For more information or to book a seat, call 702-449-8373 or e mail us.

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Zero-G News

Stephen Hawking, who wrote the best-selling book, "A Brief History of Time," soon will experience a brief history with weightlessness. Hawking, who uses a wheelchair and is almost completely paralyzed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, plans to go on a weightless flight on April 26, officials at the flight operator said Thursday. The flight, operated by Zero Gravity Corp., a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based space tourism and entertainment company, will take off and return to a landing strip at the Kennedy Space Center.

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