Zero Gravity
Corporation’s Boeing 727-200 Aircraft
G-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.
ZERO-G has utilized a palletized interior to provide maximum
flexibility. Twelve pallets enter through the cargo door, using the
airplane’s cargo handling system. The rear three pallet positions
accommodate the seating, while the forward nine pallets can be
changed out depending on the needs of the customer. Finally, six
high-definition video cameras are continuously taping the entire
cabin during the parabolic flights to provide a record of this
amazing experience to all “Flyers.”
History of the Boeing 727
The 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.
For more information -
For more information or to
book a seat, call
702-449-8373
or
e mail us.
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