'0' G for civilians

[stilton]

Just read an interesting article that Amerijet out of Ft Lauderdale
has modified a 727-200, and is offering zero g rides for $3000.


The back of the aircraft is stripped except for the usual padding around the cabin, and I believe they do around 15 parabola's while the customers float around and/ or regurgitate their last meal.

I imagine the Russians have already done this, but I think it's unprecedented in the west.

Anyone with more information?

[john_tullamarine]

3k x a few punters for an hour and a bit = tidy sum ?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Say $200,000 for a reasonable elderly 727, $50,000 to mod the back of the aeroplane and get an STC $3000/hr in running costs including the crew. Let's say 10 punters per go, one 2hr trips per day, working Monday to Friday.

If they can really get away with $3000/ride, they'll be in profit by the end of the second week, and making $½m/mth thereafter.

Damn, why didn't I think of it first.

However, you seem to be correct, a quick websearch shows http://www.nogravity.com/ and http://www.amerijet.com/news/news31.html


(I'm sure by the way that my guesstimate is miles out - the operating costs will be rather greater including training / briefing, etc, but on the other hand the website says they'll take up to 27 people at a time. As JT says, a nice little earner.)

G

[sycamore]

They`ll also need to modify the fuel ,oil, and hydraulics, otherwise it could all go very quiet;; oh , yes , and the WC (`JOHN`) ....

[amanoffewwords]

That's another $2000 if you want us to switch the engines back on Sir.

[The Invisible Cat]

One thunk there's been a thread in JB on the very same subject.


MODS : time for merge ?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Presumably a standard aircraft lavvie can handle zero g so long as you aren't actually using it at the time - anybody know the regs?

G