Zero Gravity Films G Force 1

Zero Gravity Corporation’s Boeing 727-200 Aircraft

G-Force-One™, ZERO-G’s specially modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft, is operated for Zero Gravity Films 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 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 filming flights, this region can be adapted to accommodate film sets, which can be loaded through the side cargo door.

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.

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