AvTalk Episode 180: Parabolic flight on the Zero G A310

What this episode covers

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian heads to Bordeaux to experience weightlessness aboard the Novespace / Air Zero G A310 with the German Aerospace Research Center. Novespace chairman and former astronaut Jean-François Clervoy explains the idea behind parabolic flight and pilot Bertrand Rameau teaches us how to fly a parabola in the A310. Plus, Russian airlines go on a shopping spree, and Rolls Royce bursts Booms bubble, saying they won’t be producing an engine for the supersonic jet. Getting to Bordeaux Getting to Bordeaux was half the fun as Ian flew from Chicago to New York to Stockholm to Paris to Bordeaux. What’s it like to to fly in Zero G? Ian walks through the parabolic flight and some of the scientific experiments on board. Read Ian’s full report on the flight here. Novespace chairman Jean-François Clervoy Novespace chairman and former astronaut Jean-François Clervoy explains the physics of parabolic flights and we find out that we came very close to seeing a much different aircraft used for these zero g flights. Zero G A310 pilot Bertrand Rameau Pilot Bertrand Rameau explains exactly how pilots perform the parabola maneuver and what it takes to become a zero g pilot. Accidental Ad break — Subscribe to the Flightradar24 weekly email newsletter The Russians go on a shopping spree Aeroflot announced orders for hundreds of Russian-made aircraft for delivery beginning in 2023. Israel banning four-engine aircraft Israel is set to ban four-engine aircraft and no one is quite sure why. Finnair and SAS reconfiguring their fleets Impacted by the pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace, Finnair is changing its model and reconfiguring its fleet. Meanwhile, as it seeks to reorganize its operations, SAS is rejecting leases on a handful of wide body aircraft. United scrambling to stay at JFK United Airlines has an uphill battle if it wants to keep operating at JFK when it’s temporary slot allotment runs out. Rolls Royce bursts Boom’s bubble Rolls Royce says that it’s work for Boom is complete and it won’t be producing an engine for the supersonic Overture jet. Let us know what you think (and let your friends know too!) Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode.