Not just astronauts tossing about space telescopes should be able to experience the exhilaration of a zero-gravity environment, according to a company that will begin offering courses in weightlessness in April. Weaver Aerospace of Boise, Idaho, in conjunction with Interglobal Space Lines Inc., designed its courses specifically for training those in the space travel industry-space station designers, mission planners and the like-but they are open to anyone able to pass the physical requirements (equivalent to a Class III Federal Aviation Administration physical, and described by the company as “not particularly strenuous”) and can come up with at least $1,950, which covers the one-day “Introduction to Weightlessness” course.
Weightlessness is achieved as a Sabreliner executive jet or similar aircraft, certified for weightless research purposes by the FAA, goes through a series of parabolic maneuvers: climbing at a specifically determined angle, then idling its engines and going into a suborbital trajectory that produces nearly a half-minute of weightlessness per maneuver.
The course teaches stability and mobility, handling of objects and other tasks in zero-g and includes four hours of ground school. The two-day advanced course for $2,950 is more appropriate for professionals involved in engineering, design and planning for space exploration; a three-day course combines the two for $4,450. Cost includes training manuals, ground school, pre- and post-flight briefings, flights and all required equipment. Flight suits are provided and also may be purchased for $149.
Instruction in weightlessness will be led by Lee Weaver, who trained NASA astronauts for more than 15 years; Rand Simberg, formerly a project manager at Rockwell International; and others with similar credentials. Call 307-739-1296.
Heading south
A weeklong scuba vacation off the coast of Honduras from June 25 to July 2 focuses on the undersea ecosystem with the assistance of marine biologist Steve Arnam, a part-time instructor at the Shedd Aquarium. Sponsored by Calumet College of Whiting, Ind., the trip features six days of guided submarine classes exploring coral reefs with their abundance of parrot fish, manta rays and other sea creatures; college credit is available. The cost of $1,600 per person, double occupancy, includes roundtrip airfare from Chicago to Roatan, lodging at the Coco View Resort, three meals daily, all classes, two boat dives daily, two night dives, unlimited shore dives and instructional textbooks. Scuba equipment is available for renta) at the resort. Call Barbara Pakan at 219-923-3001.
Adventure Express Travel has come up with a trio of diving getaways to Puerto Rico, including a one-week package at Palmas del Mar that offers new divers a full certification course approved by the National Association of Underwater Instructors or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. At the Candelero Hotel, the package costs $1,105, double occupancy, until April 15 ($860 after that date) including seven nights lodging, two tank boat dives daily, welcome reception, taxes and tips; at the Beach View Villa, the cost is $1,310. Also on tap are a four-night trip to San Juan, and a no-frills seven-night trip with lodging at the Villa Parguera. Call 800-443-0799.
Private Jet Expeditions is offering a two-for-one roundtrip airfare Chicago to St. Thomas or St. Croix through Feb. 28. Two passengers can fly for $617.90, tax included. Flights depart Midway Airport Monday through Friday at 7:15 a.m., arriving in St. Thomas at 2:55 p.m. and St. Croix at 4:10 p.m. Return flights leave St. Thomas Monday through Friday at 3:40 p.m., stop at St. Croix at 4:50 and arrive in Chicago at 9:50 p.m. Sunday flights leave St. Thomas at 3 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 9:15 p.m. For reservations or information, call 800-949-9400.
Research request
Ken Hamilton, whose family has owned the Palm Pavilion in Clearwater Beach, Fla., since 1964, is seeking to put together a pictorial history of the structure, built in 1926, as part of its renovation. Hamilton notes that among changes over the years, the beach has grown: where once the Gulf of Mexico lapped at the pavilion’s steps, a walk is now required to get to the water. Those who have visited the Palm Pavilion over the years and may have used it as a backdrop for family photos and the like are asked to send photos to: Palm Pavilion, 10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, Fla. 34630. If you would like photos returned, please write your full name and return address on the back of the photographs, and they will be sent back after copying. Dated photos are especially welcome. The phone number is 813-446-2642.
French fetes
Annemarie Victory, host of the Discovery Channel’s “World Class Cuisine,” is once again leading tours this year to the great gastronomic centers of Europe. The first of these is a 12-day French sojourn from May 17-29, beginning in Paris at the Hotel Ritz in the Place Vendome and ending with dinner at Le Bacon restaurant in Cap d’Antibes. Along the way: the wine cellars of Laboure Roi in Nuit St. Georges in Burgundy; a stay at the 19th Century villa owned by chef Marc Meneau with dinner at his Esperance restaurant; stops at Oustau de Baumaniere hotel and Le Vieux Castillon restaurant in Provence; and more. Cost is $5,950 per person, double occupancy (single supplement $1,100) including lodging at hotels and inns listed in the Michelin guides, ground transport, all dinners and some lunches and wines as listed on itinerary, museum admissions, excursions on the itinerary, and taxes. Airfare not included. Call 212-486-0353.
Sew to go how-to
Those who can’t get enough of sewing, and who like to travel-or know someone who does-may want to look into a new how-to book on making travel accessories. Mary Mulari’s “Travel Gear & Gifts to Make” includes more than 50 projects, from a tote bag, map holder or a mesh fabric beach bag to a rain poncho that folds up into its own little zippered pocket. Color photos are included as well as clear instruction and illustrations, plus a chapter on resources for supplies, patterns and travel info. The book is available at fabric shops or by mail for $15 postpaid. Write to: Mary’s Productions, Box 87-RT, Aurora, Minn. 55705; or call 800-562-5578 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
