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Zero Gravity Corporation’s Boeing 727-200 AircraftG-Force-One®, ZERO-G’s specially modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft, is operated for ZERO-G by Amerijet International of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, an FAA Part-121 carrier. The Boeing 727-200F aircraft was selected for the Zero-G Experience™ because of its flight characteristics, center-body mounted engines, cargo door, and excellent flying characteristics that ensure very smooth and stable parabolic flight maneuvers.G-Force-One features a large cargo door and a 90-foot-long padded Floating Zone, which provides ample room for passengers to float and fly during Martian (1/3-gravity), Lunar (1/6-gravity), and zero gravity conditions created during the experience. A built-in pallet system supports the rapid change-out of interiors that would allow the aircraft to go from a passenger-experience configuration, to a government research configuration and even to a television or filming configuration. ZERO-G worked closely with the FAA to uniquely modify the aircraft to perform parabolic flight maneuvers. A thorough evaluation of the 727-200 was made to ensure all operations meet the highest safety standards (Part-121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations). The most significant modification made to the aircraft to enable the Boeing 727 to conduct weightless flights involved an upgrade to the aircraft’s hydraulic system, additions to the avionics and a specially increased inspection plan. All aircraft modifications were tested and approved by the FAA under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). ZERO-G was also granted an extensive patent to cover the modifications to this and similar Boeing products, as well as the rapid reconfiguration of a cargo aircraft to a parabolic aircraft. 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. G-Force-One’s interior is divided into two zones. The rear area is called the Seating Zone and provides seating and FAA-required passenger provisions (emergency oxygen, escape path lighting, etc.) for up to 35 passengers and crew. The forward section, approximately 90 feet long, is called the Floating Zone. For customer flights, the floor and walls of the Floating Zone
are covered with a special FAA-approved 1.5-inch energy absorbing
Ensolite padding. For research or filming flights, this region
can be adapted to accommodate experiments or film sets. History of the Boeing 727The Boeing 727 is one of the industry’s most extensively produced airliners, with more than 1,800 aircrafts built between 1962 and 1984. The Boeing 727 was the first tri-jet introduced into commercial service making it the best-selling airliner in the world during the first 30 years of jet transportation. Production of the 727 extended over 24 years, from the early 1960s to August 1984. By the time the last 727 were delivered, this versatile airplane was carrying 13 million passengers each month. As of January 2001, about 1,300 aircraft were still in service.Introduced into commercial service in February 1964, the 727 tri-jet became an immediate hit with flight crews and passengers alike. It provided jet luxury on shorter routes. With sophisticated, triple-slotted trailing edge flaps, the 727 had unprecedented low-speed landing and takeoff performance for a commercial jet and could be accommodated by smaller airports. The 727, like all Boeing jetliners, is continually modified to fit the changing market. It began with the 100 series, of which 407 were sold. This model was followed by the 200C convertible that featured a main-deck side cargo door, allowing it to carry either cargo pallets or passengers – or a combination of both – on the main deck. Both the 727-100 and 727-200 models quickly became best sellers. Today – with its use for commercial weightless flight offered by ZERO-G – the Boeing 727 holds a permanent place in the annals of aviation as one of the most reliable airplanes, contributing significantly to the development of the world's jet transportation system. About ZERO-GZero Gravity Corporation (www.GoZeroG.com) is a privately held space entertainment and tourism company whose mission is to make the excitement and adventure of space accessible to the public. ZERO-G is based in Las Vegas and Florida and is the first and only FAA-approved provider of commercial weightless flight to the general public, as well as the entertainment and film industries, corporate and incentive market, non-profit research and education sectors, and government. The experience offered by ZERO-G is the only commercial opportunity on Earth for individuals to experience true "weightlessness" without going to space. This is the identical weightless flight experience used by NASA to train its astronauts and used by Ron Howard and Tom Hanks to film Apollo-13. The ZERO-G Experience consists of a brief training session for passengers followed by a 90-minute flight aboard G-Force-One, during which parabolic maneuvers are performed. The controlled ascent and descent of the plane allows Flyers to experience Martian gravity (1/3-gravity), Lunar gravity (1/6-gravity), and zero gravity. The ZERO-G Experience provides its Flyers with twice the amount of weightless time achieved in a typical sub-orbital flight into space. ZERO-G operates under the highest safety standards as set by the FAA (Part-121) with its partner Amerijet International of Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Aircraft operations take place under the same regulations set for large commercial passenger airliners.G-Force-One 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. Booking FlightsZERO-G has established a relationship with the Sharper Image Corporation to exclusively market and sell seats on its public flights. Beginning May 15, 2007, reservations for seats on the ZERO-G Experience™ will be made available through Sharper Image’s 187 specialty-retail stores, their monthly catalog and www.sharperimage.com. The ZERO-G Experience, which includes training led by a professional astronaut, 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 $3,950 per seat.ZERO-G flights also may be chartered for private events. Since its launch in 2004, individual groups of family and friends to top- tier consumer brands like American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Google and Cadbury Schweppes have chartered ZERO-G 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, visit www.GoZeroG.com or call 1-800-937-6480.
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