Angry Planet

JOURNAL - JULY

July. 27 2009 - Zero Gravity Footage Added

I've added a video clip from my recent zero gravity flight in California. It looks a bit chaotic... Because it was, but the feeling of being weightless is so strange that it takes a while to get used to it.
 
The video begins with a few examples of Mars and Moon gravity, then the rest is all completely without gravity at all.
 
If the video does not display at right, try this direct link to the video clip.
 
In other news, I'm currently in Toronto, waiting for the Atlantic hurricane season to start getting active. We're off to a bit of a slow start but it's only July and there are several months left so I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to intercept at least one or two good hurricanes.

July. 21 2009 - Hang Gliding

High Perspective is a company near Pickering, Ontario, just east of Toronto that offers tandem hang glides. Since I had never tried hang gliding before, I thought I'd give it a go. What an amazing experience, gliding with the wind, well over a thousand feet up. If you've ever wanted to experience what it's like to soar like a bird, then I suggest giving this a try.
 
The glider was towed up using a special winch and after a few maneuvers to gain altitude, we disconnected the cable and away we went.

July. 17 2009 - Toronto

I have now included links to my Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages. Please feel free to take a peek, watch some videos or sign up for the latest updates.
 
It is nice to have a stretch of home time. It gives me the chance to get caught up, plan some new ideas and get ready for the upcoming explorations, and believe me, there are some interesting adventures coming up later this year.

July. 15 2009

Zero Gravity Photos Uploaded - As promised, I've just added photos from my recent weightlessness flight aboard G-Force One. The modified jet that creates zero gravity by performing a series of parabolic dives. Photos are here.

It's hard to describe what it is like to float and fly through the air. It was exhilarating, disorienting, fantastic and unique. Everyone should try this at least once in their life.

July. 11 2009 - San Jose, California

This past weekend I had the opportunity to do one of the most amazing things a person can do - Experience weightlessness just like an orbiting astronaut.
 
I took a flight on G-Force One, a modified Boeing 727 which flies parabolic flights to give the passengers the experience of zero gravity. The company that operates the plane, Zero-G, is the only private company in the U.S. licensed by the FAA to perform these types of flights.
 
The plane climbs to 32,000 feet, then dives down to 24,000 feet and as you crest the top of the arc, you free fall inside the plane. The interesting part is that without the wind whizzing past you, you just float as if you were in space. Each weightless period last for about 20 seconds and at the bottom of each parabola, you experience a force of 1.8 g's as the plane climbs for the next dive.
 
Actually experiencing this is incredible. You can fly like Superman, or just float in the air. You can catch candies in your mouth as they float past, or climb up the walls, across the ceiling and back down again. What a unique experience. I was even tossed around like a beach ball at one point.
 
I may never get to travel to space, but now I know what it feels like, at least a little bit.