Release Mechanism

摘要

AT 24,000 FEET OVER THE ATLANTIC, east of Long Island, aboard G-Force One, Boeing 727-200 (at the time, the only 727 spiffed up with winglets). Thirty souls on board. "First parabola. Mars gravity, one-third of Earth's gravity. Try some push-ups." Oh, piffle. This is nothing. "Second parabola. Lunar gravity, one-sixth of Earth's gravity. Try gentle bounces on your knees." Eh. "First zero-G parabola. When I say 'coming down,' get your feet on the floor and lie down." Jesus Chr-What is THIS? Grab the rope! Hold on! "Coming down." Dive for floor. Don't move head. Stare at spot on ceiling. Breathe. Breathe. "Second zero-G." EEK! Drifting up. Don't flail! Be graceful. Float across fuselage. Look out, midair, midair! "Sorry!" "Coming down." WHAM! Bodies keel over like bowling pins. "Next zero-G."