The Final Flight
 

Can't the very last concorde flight 'ever' (LHR-Filton) be delayed by just 4 weeks so as to be on Dec 17th, the 100yr anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight...??????????????

For the sake of only days, it would be a final fitting tribute...

:sad:

Cheers guys :O

Fingers crossed on access at Filton, it's looking good though.

Damien....

Will you post your usual brilliant holiday snaps on the forum.??
This is, after all, the most historic occasion in aviation since Pontius learned to fly and became a Pilate.

Dayoff .....

Your suggestion is also brilliant, but wouldn't it be fitting to do a flypast at Kill Devill Hill before going to Filton.??
That would just simply blow peoples minds away completely.
From the first to Mach 2 in 100 years.
Sigh.....There is no doubt an accountant at this very moment having kittens at the thought of all that Esso Blue going to "Waste", and Rod would never sanction it.......but think about the massive goodwill if he did. Go on mate .... show us that Big Airways has a heart.

Police Announce Viewing Points
 

Full Story and Link to Map

Avon and Somerset Police Web Site, 12:49 am.

"Police have announced four recommended viewing areas for people wanting to watch Concorde’s final flight into Filton next Wednesday, November 26.

The seafronts at Portishead, Clevedon and Weston-Super-Mare, together with the Downs near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, will provide everyone with the chance to see her homecoming between 12.45pm and 1pm, weather-permitting.

Inspector Chris Ware said: “We’ve worked closely with British Airways and Airbus UK to ensure that everyone who wants to see her homecoming will get the opportunity to do so in a suitable, safe place.

“We are reminding people that the only public facility at Filton is for the 3,000 Evening Post competition winners. Everyone else should go to one of the four areas in time to see Concorde fly over at a suitably low level between 12.45pm and 1pm.”

Police are advising people to arrive early and use public transport wherever possible to minimise disruption.

Radio Bristol will be broadcasting further details on the day."

Taildragger - I should think there's a fair likelihood of snaps appearing here, yes...

Enquired with Filton to see if it was possible to fly in on that day but they have stated that no GA flights are allowed in that day.

Real shame that.

Spikeair

I rang them as soon as I found out (just as the Evening News competition closed!) but alas with the same result.

I am definitely going to be there, I will be flying down from East Anglia if the weather is up for it, else I shall drive.
Badminton and taxi looks favourite if they will accept us.

Questions:
Is anyone else flying down?
Does anyone know is the northern perimeter road will be accessable on foot? (I note the Police have it marked in red for no parking, but is it going to be open to the public and can you actually see anything from there.)

T

LHR TAKE OFF
 

Was there on 'two out, three in' day and intend to be there on 26th for the final ear and car alarm blaster. ATCs - is the plan to go for a 27R departure even without the VIP grandstand?

Might get a view from the back of the Cribbs Causeway carpark, and I seem to remember there was a track to a farm on the south side of the field.

Runway23 have you considered flying in to Garston Farm? Within Colernes ATZ but well co-ordinated and would be convenient for the run into Bristol on the A420.

Rough translation of the NOTAM for the final flight:


Concorde G-BOAF Final Flight and Flypasts in Bristol area:

Departing Heathrow, estimated at 11.10, via English Channel, Landing Filton estimated at 12.42.

Inbound to Filton Concorde will leave controlled airspace at Compton (approximately 10 miles west of Reading), 250 knots, at 12.18

It will pass overhead Filton at 12.27, then continue west to the Severn estuary.

From there it will head down the Bristol side of the estuary and turn south to overfly Weston Supermare at 12.32 continuing east to overfly Bristol International at 12.34

Then it heads up to The Downs.

If it is landing on 27, it will go east to Cold Ashton (junction of A46 and A420), making a 180 degree turn to line up for landing.
Otherwise, if landing 09, it will go overhead Filton heading North then West 'over the M4' (tunnel!), making a 180 turn back east for landing.

Either approach it's estimated to land at around 12.42

'son of Concorde'
 

Just noticed this on the BBC website, apologies if it is old news.
I think they have the gender wrong however.


begins>>>>>>>>>>
Firm considers 'son of Concorde'


EADS plans to build a successor to Concorde could take off
A successor to supersonic jet Concorde is being considered by aerospace giant EADS, the group has confirmed.
The European firm is looking into developing a hypersonic jet with Japanese partners, a London based spokesman said.

Chief executive Philippe Camus unveiled the plans at an aerospace industry event in Japan last week, French newspaper reports said.

However, the spokesman added no firm timescale was in place for replacing Concorde, which retired last month.

The hypersonic plane would be able to travel at twice the speed of Concorde, meaning it could fly between Paris and Tokyo in two hours, Mr Camus told the French newspaper Liberation.

He added that the market was not currently able to support the launch of a commercial programme, but there was currently "collaboration" between Europe and Japan on engines for the jet.

"Working groups are considering it," he said.

Japan meetings

Meanwhile, the Sunday Express reported that EADS has started talks with Japanese manufacturers and Miti - Japan's trade ministry - to develop the jet.

The aircraft would be capable of flying 7,000 miles non-stop and would carry 300 passengers, double the capacity of Concorde.

Reports also claim the jet's noise levels would be far lower than those of Concorde - which led to the plane being unable to fly certain routes - and much more similar to those of a Boeing 747 which would enable it to operate far more widely.

Concorde made its final commercial passenger flight for British Airways between London and New York on 23 October.

Famous aircraft

Air France, the only other airline to operate the jet commercially, withdrew it from service in May.

The companies decided to retire the famous aircraft after 27 years because it was no longer profitable.

EADS is Europe's biggest aerospace company and the second largest worldwide - employing more than 100,000 people at 70 production sites worldwide.

The company, which relies heavily on its core Airbus operations, was formed July 2000 and is listed on the French, German and Spanish stock exchanges.

<<<<<<<<<<<ends

For as long as Boeing keep talking about a Hypersonic machine, then EADS will have to keep talking about one.

I reckon it to be a simple game of who will blink first. It may well happen but not any time soon. There are more direct words to express this contest but these are public forums and I wish to save the Mods the trouble of correcting my language. :p

Oh dear hypersonic transport again?

One word...... HOTOL.

Let's reinvent the wheel shall we?

Filton viewpoint
 

The Mall at Cribbs Causeway off the M5 has excellent parking facilities. Try and get over to where the Cinema Complex and Burger King/Kentucky Chicken is. There's a raised area there, also a footpath that is close to the airfield but not sure what the view is like. If it's raining, try the ladies lingerie department at Marks and Spencers:ok: there's a big window in the corner with reasonable views of the airfield:cool: .

Which runway for Concorde departure
 

Anyone able to advise which runway Concorde will be making her final LHR departure off on Wednesday? I'd just like to pay my respects.

Many thanks,

Desk-pilot

Desk Pilot

Looking at the 3 day synoptic, I would guess both take off and landing will be westerly.

I also guess that she will take off from 27R.

Anyone any more accurate info?

R23

Legs11, heading from Cribbs to Catbrain gives you views on all three sides of the westerly end but very muddy.

Legs,
thanks for the tip : the ultimate fantasy world, eh.....

DCD

Are there any good places Airside to watch Concordes final departure ?