INTERVIEWS

“It was a strange lightness, a drifting feeling. Zero gravity. I understood that everything that once seemed solid and immovable might just float away. And that this was a truth of life, not an illusion in the grieving mind of a child. Everything that is hard and heavy in your world is made up of billions of molecules in constant motion offering the illusion of permanence. But it all tends toward breaking down and falling away. Some things just go more quickly, more surprisingly, than others.” – Lisa Unger, author

And such, as Unger stated, is the state of weightlessness – that environment most people never get to experience in life since it is only attainable in the abyss and silence of space – but it only was unattainable until Zero-G.

The Zero-G Experience®

Zero-G is so far from an ordinary plane ride that it's pretty much out of this world. It’s the closest feeling you will get to being in outer space without actually blasting off in a rocket!

Experience the kind of amazement only space travel can provide on a plane that creates pockets of weightlessness. Can you imagine the feeling of being utterly free from the constraints of gravity?

“It’s really the most amazing experience you can have on earth,” said Noelle Pearson, Zero-G’s director of sales. “It’s feeling like a real astronaut and honestly, after having the experience, people don’t walk away the same.”

When you sign up for a Zero-G flight onboard the specially-modified Boeing 727 aptly named G-Force One, you can rest assured you will be under the same safety standards as passenger airlines. What you can also be assured of is this will be like no other flight you have ever had.

Here is how Zero-G Works

The Zero-G adventure all happens when the G-Force One pilot flies aerobatic maneuvers called parabolas, creating an environment of total weightlessness.

While in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airspace blocks about 100 miles long and 10 miles wide, the pilot draws a lowercase ‘n’ in the sky – the nose of the plane pointed in extreme angles first at outer space and later at the earth. The pilot flies to 24,000 feet, the altitude where he gradually pulls up the nose of the plane to an angle of about 45 degrees. During this phase, you will feel the pull of 1.8 Gs.

At 32,000 feet, the plane “pushes over” the peak of the parabola. For about 30 seconds, everyone on board feels what it’s like to float in space.

The plane then gently pulls out of the maneuver, allowing you to gradually return to “earth.” In addition to zero gravity, you will also experience lunar gravity (one-sixth of your weight) and Martian gravity (one-third of your weight), achieved by flying a wider arc over the top of the parabola. On a typical flight, parabolas are flown in sets of three to five, with short periods of level flight between each set.

When Staying in the Miami Area

The ideal complement to the Zero-G experience is staying in a private LVH luxury vacation home in Miami. Villa Diana and Villa Corra are two spectacularly elegant homes and choosing between them might be difficult since they’re both in an elite class by themselves. Both are on the waterfront and both boast the most amazing amenities such as private boat docks, outdoor pools, rooftop terraces, elevators, cinema rooms and terrific areas for alfresco dining. As with all LVH residences, these Miami luxury vacation homes come with full services and guest support.

History of Zero-G

In 1994 Dr. Peter H. Diamandis; Dr. Byron K. Lichtenberg, veteran astronaut; and Ray Cronise, NASA engineer, acquired FAA approval for G-Force One. It wasn’t until a decade later, Pearson said, that the first commercial zero-gravity flight took off, establishing itself within the extreme tourist industry. In April 2006, Zero-G became the first commercial company to gain permission from the Kennedy Space Center to use the shuttle runway and landing facilities to operate weightlessness flights.

Walk Away with a Different Perspective

“The looks on people’s faces when they first experience zero gravity is priceless,” Pearson said, adding passengers can’t wait for zero gravity to hit again. “It is a feeling that’s very addictive. Once people experience a flight, they want to do it again.”

That’s not surprising since the freedom of movement that comes with weightlessness allows passengers to attempt to do things they never dreamed they would be able to, like doing cartwheels in mid-air or chasing after floating M&Ms or water droplets and for some, time spent on G-Force One becomes even more momentous when potential life-changing things happen.

“A Zero-G flight is great for celebrations and we have had a couple of marriage proposals on board,” Pearson said. “It makes the moment even more surreal for the couple and they will remember it forever.”

Specialty Flights

If you are looking for a truly intimate, unique and utterly spectacular wedding ceremony, a Zero-G Flight might just be it. A maximum of 24 guests plus the couple can take part in the flight. The wedding package includes a photographer, videographer, officiant, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, and flight suits. Upon landing, you will have a wedding cake and champagne toast. G-Force One has also been used for film scenes, media productions, educational programs, and for private functions such as family events. Pearson said private charters can be personalized to suit guests’ needs. G-Force One has also been used for research purposes. In fact, Pearson said the aircraft is very instrumental in being used for experiments in cutting research regarding Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s diseases.

What to Expect on Flight Day

Check-in. You will check in with your government-issued picture identification and will have a light breakfast and be given additional instructions about the flight.

Meet your coach. Get acquainted with your flight coach and other flyers (unless you have booked the whole plane for a function). You will change into your flight suit and have the chance to ask questions.

Security. Flyers and coaches will proceed through TSA security screening. Carry-on items must fit in your flight suit pocket.

Boarding. Once screening is complete, you will proceed to the aircraft where photos will be taken in front of the plane prior to boarding. You will be seated and a brief onboard safety demonstration will be given by flight attendants.

Takeoff. G-Force One will then head to its designated airspace which takes about 30 minutes.

The Experience. Once at altitude, coaches will bring you to an area in the floating zone and that’s where the magic happens! A total of 15 parabolas will be flown, providing you with about eight minutes of weightlessness. The plane will then return to the same airport from which it departed where you will deplane.

Post-flight. You will receive a link to photos and videos of your flight within 72 hours.

Children at least eight years of age can also fly. A Zero-G flight starts at US$8,200, plus 5% tax and fees per person.

“Of course you can tell people how it feels, but they won’t really know what it’s really like until they've done it,” Pearson said. “I would say not to be hesitant to try it. People who have done the flight have a glow about them afterwards. It’s amazing and very emotional.”

Notable Zero-G passengers have included Tony Hawk, Stephen Hawking, Buzz Aldrin, Peter Jackson, George Takei, Justin Bieber, Kate Upton, Martha Stewart, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Ashton Kutcher, among others.

Of this experience that can be described as utterly transcendental, Stephen Hawking said it was the first time in his life he ever felt free.

There is no truer testament to the Zero-G experience than that.

LVH can make your Zero-G flight happen whether you are wanting to join a flight or would like to book the plane for a corporate or family function, or for a special occasion. We invite you to reach out to an LVH client relations professional who will fill you in on further details about Zero-G when you book your luxurious Florida vacation home with us. In addition to adventures like Zero-G, we will fashion a tailor-made itinerary for you filled with other memorable experiences you will love and will appreciate spending your time doing. Our major consideration is always your vacation happiness!