Abstract: A method for reducing motion sickness of passengers during parabolic flight comprising the combination of known and novel methods for flying parabolic arcs and coordinating passenger behavior during parabolic flight including graduating from heavier to lighter gravity environments; flying one or more sets of parabolic arcs for each gravity environment; flying on a path generally parallel to the surface of the earth after each set of parabolic arcs; flying no more than twenty parabolic arcs; or having passengers lying supine when entering or exiting each parabolic maneuver.
Abstract: A system and method is provided for rapidly reconfiguring a jet aircraft from a cargo or passenger configuration into a parabolic flight configuration. In the parabolic flight configuration, a zero-gravity condition is created in the aircraft cabin to simulate a weightless atmosphere which can be provided as entertainment to paying customers. Various aspects of the invention include a hydraulic system design change which prevents loss of hydraulic function during a zero-gravity condition and a strap-down accelerometer which provides a visual indication of the parabolic flight condition. Additional interior modifications include removable padding areas, a dual-purpose interior gill liner, modified oxygen systems, handrail attachment fixtures, modified emergency lighting systems, and a palletized floor assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 26, 1999
Assignee:
Zero-Gravity Corporation
Inventors:
Bryon K. Lichtenberg, Peter H. Diamandis, Raymond J. Cronise, Michael L. Mahaffey