Concorde experiences anyone?
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From: UK and Italy
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From: England
I was lucky enough to get a trip to Washington and back. It was needless to say a fantastic experience. The cabin was compact with four domestic first class seats in rows which seem to stretch a long way due to the narrow cabin.
It was all premium first class. But there was a difference in that roughly the front half of the cabin had an unimpeded view due to the wing. So the important passengers were at the front.
The acceleration was noticeable, particularly when the afterburners were selected. Other than the Mach and altitude indicator at the front of the cabin there was no particular feeling of speed. I remember the flights as very smooth with a highly motivated crew running a very slick operation.
Only later when I got to know a few of the pilots did I learn what a knife edge operation it was. In many ways it was much closer to a military rather than an airline flight at least from a technical standpoint. Fuel reserves were extremely tight and there were a lot of incidents that never made it to the news.
But it was a fantastic aircraft, even quite profitable when the development costs were written off and a huge source of prestige for BA and Air France.
It was all premium first class. But there was a difference in that roughly the front half of the cabin had an unimpeded view due to the wing. So the important passengers were at the front.
The acceleration was noticeable, particularly when the afterburners were selected. Other than the Mach and altitude indicator at the front of the cabin there was no particular feeling of speed. I remember the flights as very smooth with a highly motivated crew running a very slick operation.
Only later when I got to know a few of the pilots did I learn what a knife edge operation it was. In many ways it was much closer to a military rather than an airline flight at least from a technical standpoint. Fuel reserves were extremely tight and there were a lot of incidents that never made it to the news.
But it was a fantastic aircraft, even quite profitable when the development costs were written off and a huge source of prestige for BA and Air France.
In fact that was why BA worked so hard to get it back into the air after the unfortunate crash. It was reported that their 7 Concorde fleet were generating some £40m in profits.
But it was badly affected by 9/11 loss of passengers.
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From: Budapest
I think you've all forgotten -
"Other than the Mach and altitude indicator at the front of the cabin there was no particular feeling of speed"
"They just wind it up until it reads Mach 2, and everbody goes "very good, very good indeed"!
"Other than the Mach and altitude indicator at the front of the cabin there was no particular feeling of speed"
"They just wind it up until it reads Mach 2, and everbody goes "very good, very good indeed"!
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From: Everett, WA
I was lucky enough to get a trip to Washington and back. It was needless to say a fantastic experience. The cabin was compact with four domestic first class seats in rows which seem to stretch a long way due to the narrow cabin.
It was all premium first class. But there was a difference in that roughly the front half of the cabin had an unimpeded view due to the wing. So the important passengers were at the front.
It was all premium first class. But there was a difference in that roughly the front half of the cabin had an unimpeded view due to the wing. So the important passengers were at the front.
Yea, speed is a luxury, but those seats were little better than typical premium coach. You just didn't need to sit in them very long...
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From: Germany
The combination of the small windows and the wing blocking any downward view meant that at the back of the cabin there was not a lot of interesting stuff to see outside.
I did get to visit the flight deck and am pretty sure there was a hat jammed between the flight engineers panel and the rear cockpit bulkhead as a demonstration of the way the aircraft fuselage changed in length during flight due to heating up.
The view forward with the visor up was not great. Through the side windows you could see a bit more and I think the curvature of the earth and possibly a slight darkening of the sky upwards were visible.
We cruise climbed to just over FL 580, I was hoping to see 600 and the speed was marginally over Mach 2. The return flight was interesting with daylight all the way, which was a much more pleasant way to cross than a night flight. Although it was forty years ago it remains a vivid and very pleasant memory.
I did get to visit the flight deck and am pretty sure there was a hat jammed between the flight engineers panel and the rear cockpit bulkhead as a demonstration of the way the aircraft fuselage changed in length during flight due to heating up.
The view forward with the visor up was not great. Through the side windows you could see a bit more and I think the curvature of the earth and possibly a slight darkening of the sky upwards were visible.
We cruise climbed to just over FL 580, I was hoping to see 600 and the speed was marginally over Mach 2. The return flight was interesting with daylight all the way, which was a much more pleasant way to cross than a night flight. Although it was forty years ago it remains a vivid and very pleasant memory.
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From: Budapest
When I walked through the Concorde at the Seattle Museum of flight - I was immediately struck by the small size of the "First Class" seats - narrower and less pitch than any Business Class seat I'd ever seen - and the tiny windows.
Yea, speed is a luxury, but those seats were little better than typical premium coach. You just didn't need to sit in them very long...
Yea, speed is a luxury, but those seats were little better than typical premium coach. You just didn't need to sit in them very long...
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From: USA
Fl 600, Mach 2.something.
the plexiglas is uncomfortable to touch on the inside of the windows. The leading edges change color very visibly due to friction. The stuff 30k ft below looks like it’s going full tilt boogie in the opposite direction despite the fact that you’re just overtaking it.
A former Beatle, and Helen Gurley Brown are a couple rows up to keep your spouse occupied while you marvel at your fortune.
And you’re griping because there isn’t a reclining seat to let you sleep and a movie?
Get thee hence, heathen…
the plexiglas is uncomfortable to touch on the inside of the windows. The leading edges change color very visibly due to friction. The stuff 30k ft below looks like it’s going full tilt boogie in the opposite direction despite the fact that you’re just overtaking it.
A former Beatle, and Helen Gurley Brown are a couple rows up to keep your spouse occupied while you marvel at your fortune.
And you’re griping because there isn’t a reclining seat to let you sleep and a movie?
Get thee hence, heathen…
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From: Ferrara
"but those seats were little better than typical premium coach. "
AS you cay its all a matter of how long you sit in them. Plus of course those seats were designed in the late50's/early 60's when the idea of "premium coach" was a very long way in the future,
Luxury on long haul in the 70's was the big pull down screen at the front for the show - THE show - no choice remember?
AS you cay its all a matter of how long you sit in them. Plus of course those seats were designed in the late50's/early 60's when the idea of "premium coach" was a very long way in the future,
Luxury on long haul in the 70's was the big pull down screen at the front for the show - THE show - no choice remember?
Paxing All Over The World
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I remember the GREAT excitement of watching my first onboard movie. Apart from those ghastly ear pieces it was great. I can't remember the movie but was probably on a 747-100 JNB-LHR in the mid-1970s.
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
Paxboy
BCAL 707 Gatwick to Santiago pre movie get, a very good book as we stopped everywhere early 70;s. When movies arrived a little later a good eye sight required to see screen, and how many times can you see the same film ! As a current observation on long haul on Red Eye ie after 24.00 I switch on something like North by Northwest ie old movie ,but I can chuckle and drop in and out of viewing.
Any other comments or observations from the cabin ?
Cheers
Mr Mac
BCAL 707 Gatwick to Santiago pre movie get, a very good book as we stopped everywhere early 70;s. When movies arrived a little later a good eye sight required to see screen, and how many times can you see the same film ! As a current observation on long haul on Red Eye ie after 24.00 I switch on something like North by Northwest ie old movie ,but I can chuckle and drop in and out of viewing.
Any other comments or observations from the cabin ?
Cheers
Mr Mac
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From: Australia
He told the story of the day after he got back, one of the Lightning pilots coming in in his G suit, helmet etc, saying to Slim "I've just done mach 2". Slim said "I did that yesterday, but I was drinking champagne and eating caviar".
Truly a remarkable aeroplane.
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From: Bolton ENGLAND
Over the years of it's development and service I was able see most of the Concordes that were built: air shows and the odd trip to Heathrow.
My opportunity to fly on it came somewhat unexpectedly in 1998 at Oshkosh. G-BOAF was there as a visitor, still " star of the show " (at least for me !!), even although Concorde had been there four times previously.
BA were offering flights, so the two American friends I was with and I decided to spend our $$s.... Trip of a life time but unfortunately, no supersonic, as were too far from the sea !! The presence of a FAA check pilot ( a lady), with her hand on the throttles (apparently !! ) guaranteed that. Think we achieved about Mach 0.96. Remember the spectacular take-off. Always glad I took the opportunity when it was offered. Had hoped to "" go supersonic "" but sadly the end came before I was able to achieve that.
I had hoped to fit in a flight in the EAA's Ford Tri-motor but simply ran out of time....not $$s, only about $ 50, I seem to recall. I suppose that flight is still theoretically possible, unlike a flight on Concorde... !!
My opportunity to fly on it came somewhat unexpectedly in 1998 at Oshkosh. G-BOAF was there as a visitor, still " star of the show " (at least for me !!), even although Concorde had been there four times previously.
BA were offering flights, so the two American friends I was with and I decided to spend our $$s.... Trip of a life time but unfortunately, no supersonic, as were too far from the sea !! The presence of a FAA check pilot ( a lady), with her hand on the throttles (apparently !! ) guaranteed that. Think we achieved about Mach 0.96. Remember the spectacular take-off. Always glad I took the opportunity when it was offered. Had hoped to "" go supersonic "" but sadly the end came before I was able to achieve that.
I had hoped to fit in a flight in the EAA's Ford Tri-motor but simply ran out of time....not $$s, only about $ 50, I seem to recall. I suppose that flight is still theoretically possible, unlike a flight on Concorde... !!
Last edited by Planemike; 25th August 2024 at 19:54.
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From: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Pleased to say I have flown in the 1st Jet airliner, the Comet, the Fastest, Concorde, and the largest, A.380. Have also flown in the Ford Tri-motor at Oshkosh. Good memories all!.
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From: UK and Italy
When I started this thread I never expected the fantastic response it has received! Thanks people for contributing your memories and pix!
I've just been watching a documentary about Concorde and perhaps it's worth mentioning that what killed Concorde was not the crash (though that didn't help) or 9/11 (that didn't help either) but Airbus's unwillingness to maintain what was by then the oldest aircraft in BA or AFs fleets. Like all old aircraft, they needed more and more maintenance and Airbus weren't prepared to do it at what BA and AF considered a reasonable price. So the final death knoll was sounded by Airbus's accountants. What a sad way to go.
I've just been watching a documentary about Concorde and perhaps it's worth mentioning that what killed Concorde was not the crash (though that didn't help) or 9/11 (that didn't help either) but Airbus's unwillingness to maintain what was by then the oldest aircraft in BA or AFs fleets. Like all old aircraft, they needed more and more maintenance and Airbus weren't prepared to do it at what BA and AF considered a reasonable price. So the final death knoll was sounded by Airbus's accountants. What a sad way to go.
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From: Ferrara
"So the final death knoll was sounded by Airbus's accountants. "
That's how almost all commercial passenger aircraft fade away - no-one can make as much money from them as from something new. Look at the continual replacement of relatively recent B737's and A 320's by the latest versions....
That's how almost all commercial passenger aircraft fade away - no-one can make as much money from them as from something new. Look at the continual replacement of relatively recent B737's and A 320's by the latest versions....
Gentleman Aviator
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From: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
Another "not flying in it" tale.
Must have been late-ish 80s, I was crewing a yacht returning to the Solent from Brest. Beautiful clear day, but little wind, so lots of sail up.
Saw this incredible fast contrail going W or SW - maybe AF Concorde to South America? - or had they stopped by then?
Not only "dropped a boom" on us, but collapsed some of the sails!
Must have been late-ish 80s, I was crewing a yacht returning to the Solent from Brest. Beautiful clear day, but little wind, so lots of sail up.
Saw this incredible fast contrail going W or SW - maybe AF Concorde to South America? - or had they stopped by then?
Not only "dropped a boom" on us, but collapsed some of the sails!
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From: by the seaside
Used to operate swissair’s evening flight to Zurich in the little Fokker 100 which often had us at 28 left hold just behind droop snoop; I’d position the aircraft so that we and the right hand side pax could watch her go, partly because the noise was frightening especially for those not knowing before hand but mainly for the light show. Fabulous..BA was doing a CHF 300 to a transatlantic crossing sub load ticket which a lot of our staff used. Personally I couldn’t be arsed as was working hard and not loosing another night away from my family was more important. A couple of my course flew her, neither having anything to do with our reunions as one put it “you don’t realise what a good pilot I was and haven’t anything in common with other BA pilots”. Should have reminded him he must have improved after lowering land flap at noise abatement a week or so before his flatmate put the droop in at that point.
Mike Riley’s Concorde stick and rudder book worth reading as is his autobiography..has a blog..flying things..
Mike Riley’s Concorde stick and rudder book worth reading as is his autobiography..has a blog..flying things..