Picture the scene. The Heathrow positions in the TC Ops Room suitably decorated with balloons and banners. The manning is manipulated to ensure ACE is plugged in on 120.4 as BAW2 arrives downwind. Much behind the scenes co-ordination has taken place to ensure the Concorde Captain is suitably briefed. As BAW2 is transferred to ACE, a discrete squawk is selected to display 'BYEACE' on the radar. By this time the majority of the other positions in the Ops Room have 120.4 selected to listen in. An Air Canada passes on his best wishes and ACE explains that he is his 'penultimate aircraft'. Air Canada asks if this means he is ACE's last??
BAW2 then passes on his best wishes for ACE's retirement after a long career. ACE corrects the Captain as to just how long it really has been and manages to retain his composure long enough to clear BAW2 to land (by special arrangement with the Arrivals Controller at the Tower) A loud cheer and much clapping is heard around the Ops Room and ACE has worked his last movement in full-time employment. We all finish the Afternoon Duty and retire to the George in Colnbrook. A massive turnout for a big character. ACE relays a few more 'war stories', makes an impromptu speech to the assembled mass and we say our 'first' goodbye to much loved friend and colleague. (Can't wait for the real party!!)