Originally published September 23 2005
Florida company offers Zero Gravity experience to the public
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Florida-based company Zero Gravity has made it possible for the average person to have the unique experience of -- as their name implies -- weightlessness, with chartered flights of 747s that perform various maneuvers designed to simulate a zero gravity environment, space.com reports.
Theresa Trawick of Melbourne remembers "bouncing around like a pinball" in a plane during a flight last month.
The company, which is planning flights out of the Titusville area and Orlando in November, sells spots on what's known as "parabolic flights" for $3,750 per person.
The company's planes -- modified Boeing 727 cargo jets -- perform a series of up-and-down maneuvers that provide short periods of varying degrees of weightlessness inside the plane's cabin, mimicking what astronauts experience in space.
Nevertheless, it was something that the Federal Aviation Administration had to check out and authorize.
In addition, Zero Gravity requires passengers to sign waivers to absolve the company from liabilities if anyone is injured, which McMahon said has not happened in the company's brief history.
Trawick, a schoolteacher who works in Rockledge, took a Zero Gravity flight out of Fort Lauderdale in July.
She said her trip had educational purposes -- such as getting her students excited about the science behind flight and space travel.
At first, she was worried whether it would be safe.
The company may operate flights out of North Brevard on a regular basis because the "space tourism" connection at Kennedy Space Center would be a good fit for the company, McMahon said.
For now, Zero Gravity plans to have flights Nov. 5 out of Space Coast Regional Airport near Titusville.
Amerijet provides the crew and maintains the planes, while Zero Gravity markets and books the flights.
During that time, the plane performs about 15 parabolas or arcs that provide varying degrees of weightlessness that last about 30 seconds each.
Scott Carr, executive director of the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority, which operates Space Coast Regional Airport, said the Zero Gravity flights should provide a lift for local space tourism.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml