47 replies to this topic

[speedyK]

Now I can't imagine we'll ever defy the sonic boom, so I think we're stuffed for SST

Research is actually going on at the moment to combat this problem, with the goal being to eliminate it. Don't know enough about it to understand how that could be possible, but it seems they've already achieved a 20% reduction in the sonic boom by increased attention to nose design on the test aircraft. So, maybe one day...

Actually had the honour and priviledge of travelling on Concorde from Heathrow to JFK (in '97 when it was still regarded as one of the safest aircraft). It was a once-in-a-lifetime surprise birthday present from me to my wife (I graciously accompanied her of course ). When we got to Zürich airport and boarded a plane to London, she was perhaps a little disappointed – should have seen her face when a British Airways member met us there and showed us to the Concord lounge.

As a kid it was easy to think we'd all be space travelling in the not too distant future. Can't see that anymore, but at least I've been on the edge of space and that was a very special experience for me. I read the book, "Flying Concorde" by Brian Calvert before I travelled, so was in an informed and aware state. Helped me to appreciate it all the more.

As David Frost eloquently says on the BBC site and several have reiterated, it is strange to be making a retrograde step away from supersonic civil aviation. Fairly unprecedented in man's history to abandon a functioning technology and not replace it with something better. Hope it doesn't go the same way with cars!

[Gonzo]

It will be a very strange feeling going in to work at Heathrow on Thursday and knowing that I'll never say "Speedbird One, cleared for take off" ever again. Very sad. One of the 'perks of the job' as an Air Traffic Controller is the ability to take one of our Land Rovers and drive out on the airfield, so I'm going to do that and be right next to the runway at the lift off point when one flies out to a museum somewhere, and say a little private goodbye, if I can hear myself think. Should get some nice photos! Even though we saw it every day at work, it's still the only aeroplane that used heathrow where every single person in the tower would turn and look when it took off.

[Beergut]

Flew in it a few years ago, must admit I prefer my VX220

[speedyK]

Flew in it a few years ago, must admit I prefer my VX220

The VX is good as cars go but be fair – Concorde was one of a kind.

Also, I presume you flew as a passenger – bit different to the pleasure of being in control. The Concorde pilots make the analogy of flying Concorde being very rewarding like driving a great sportscar. To take the car analogy further you would have to say the VX would be comparable to Concorde if the only other vehicles available were Morris Minors, Ladas and Ford Transits.

[stumpy]

I spent 3 years working for airbus @ Filton, she only came "home" once it all that time. 6000 people got up clapped and cheered, she was on the deck for about 2 hours and NOBODY did any work in all that time. There is a fantastic old building that still has thousands of the old blue prints, stuffed in tubes going mouldy When you think that now we have parametric modeling systems, which will do all the stress calcs on the fly, as well as do all your materials management, it just beggers belief that these guys started this some 50 years ago!!!!! There is a great story at Filton about the russians spying for concordski, well they actually made a formula for the tyres that was stolen, the only problem was when the russians tried to make it was so soft the concordski actually sunk to its wheel rims! Having worked with inspirational engineers on A3xx I know we will once again rule the skies, if not then tell me why Boeing are still trying to poach wing designers for £250k a year when they are not getting much over £40k at the mo? We have the skill, we dont have the money, nuff said.......long live speedbird, you are one in a zillion, and ONLY WE could have made her, but french money helped! Stumpy

[R1 nur]

There is beauty and here is the beast!

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[R1 nur]

Agree with Stumpy. And who invented the Jet engine eh!

[TurboTomato]

forgot the picture...

[mal_dun]

I first saw Concorde flying over Torbay when it was being tested. Best sighting I ever had was as the plane I was in was taxing to the apron we had a Concorde to the right of us and a second to the left. I felt sad the other day as I saw her fly over the hospital where I work. I also felt angry. Yes, she was losing money, but it was a long term political thing, namely the Yanks didn't want us to have it.

[Beergut]

Flew in it a few years ago, must admit I prefer my VX220

The VX is good as cars go but be fair – Concorde was one of a kind.

Also, I presume you flew as a passenger – bit different to the pleasure of being in control. The Concorde pilots make the analogy of flying Concorde being very rewarding like driving a great sportscar. To take the car analogy further you would have to say the VX would be comparable to Concorde if the only other vehicles available were Morris Minors, Ladas and Ford Transits.

Ok speedy I'll clarify, if my garage was big enough I'd have a Concorde

[JimH]

It still is one of the most beautiful creations ever.

[Blanchie]

[IMG]
How can you say that this isn't the best thing mankind has ever built!
When I was younger I used to live in zimbabwe so did a lot of travelling to the UK. My main abition at that time was to become an airline pilot. Unfourtunately there was a spate of airline crashes that totally put me off the idea

Blimey Bogbrush, where did you live? i lived there when i was younger too.

Iain

Edited by Blanchie, 27 October 2003 - 05:32 PM.

[JimH]

Nowt to do with Concorde but it is a stupidly fast plane. If this company of mine ever make me rich I'm going to have one of these in my garden.

[R1 nur]

Lightening. Mad mad aeroplane. IIRC they could reach 30,000feet in two minutes! So as well as hacking along at 700mph they were CLIMBING at at 180mph. Incredible. Only 20 - 30 mins range tho if the Afterburner was in extended use. The Airbus 321 can take 30 mins to reach 30,000feet but can fly for 6 hours.

[stumpy]

Ben, Did not realise you where a scarebus pilot - Hope it's not one of the ones I saw being constructed down in toulouse put the wings on with a 14lb allignment manager (read sledge hammer)! Or the one that air india fooked by trying to replace an engine without a hoist just jacked the thing up on a fork lift and rammed the engine onto the wing - funny thing happend next............buckled the centre box and the plane was scrap! Or .....no I cant tell you about the secret, high security software development team that work on the fly-by-wire systems......the ones that went very quite after the paris air show! Oops Retire Early Stumpy

[stumpy]

Ben, Did not realise you where a scarebus pilot - Hope it's not one of the ones I saw being constructed down in toulouse put the wings on with a 14lb allignment manager (read sledge hammer)! Or the one that air india fooked by trying to replace an engine without a hoist just jacked the thing up on a fork lift and rammed the engine onto the wing - funny thing happend next............buckled the centre box and the plane was scrap! Or .....no I cant tell you about the secret, high security software development team that work on the fly-by-wire systems......the ones that went very quite after the paris air show! Oops Retire Early Stumpy

[Beergut]

Nowt to do with Concorde but it is a stupidly fast plane. If this company of mine ever make me rich I'm going to have one of these in my garden.

You can fly a Lightning at http://www.incredibl...under_city.html

Edited by Beergut, 28 October 2003 - 12:41 PM.

[TurboTomato]

My personal favourite..... awesome aircraft

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[JimH]

You can fly a Lightning at http://www.incredibl...under_city.html

Tell me about it. Had my eye on that for a while. Had to buy a house so can't afford the 6K that they want for the four flight holiday.

Can't think of a better way to blow six grand, however.

[JimH]

My personal favourite..... awesome aircraft

Lame ass American junk. What you want is one of these.......................