How Does Parabolic Flight Work?
Weightless Flight (also known as Parabolic Flight)
is achieved aboard ZERO-G's Boeing 727 aircraft named G-FORCE ONE.
Weightlessness is achieved by flying G-FORCE ONE through a parabolic
flight maneuver. Specially trained pilots fly these maneuvers between
approximately 24,000 and 34,000 feet altitude. Each parabola takes
10 miles of airspace to perform and lasts approximately one minute
from start to finish.
The maneuver is somewhat like a roller coaster
in that the plane is initially pulled up to approximately 45 degrees
'nose high'. Next the plane is 'pushed over' the top to reach
the zero-gravity segment of the parabolas. For the next 25 - 30
seconds everything in the plane is weightless. At approximately
30 degrees 'nose low' a gentle pull-out is started which allows
the Flyers to stabilize on the aircraft floor. Finally, the g-force
is increased smoothly to about 1.8 g's until the aircraft reaches
a flight altitude of 24,000 feet. The maneuver is then repeated.
The weightlessness experienced by everyone
inside the airplane is actually equivalent to the type of "free fall" you
experience when sky diving. In this case however, the body of
the aircraft surrounds you and protects you from the on-rushing
wind. At the end of the free fall period, the aircraft also scoops
you up and carries you back up to the top of the arc to begin
the free fall process again.
In addition to achieving zero-g or weightlessness, G-FORCE ONE
can also fly a parabola designed to offer Lunar (1/6th) or Martian
(1/3rd) gravity. These reduced gravity environments are also created
with a modified parabola that is not quite as steep as zero gravity
parabola. |
