Official : British Airways Retires Concorde (merged)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPRuNE Charter ??
NW1,
What are the chances of a PPRuNE charter flight before shed goes
I would certainly see how far the piggy bank would stretch for a chance to go supersonic in the old girl 
As a lad, from the garden I could hear the sound of the Olympuses (Olympii ??) being run up on the flying test-beds at Filton -- and every now and agin see her come over the house on a wide circuit.... Sigh, nostalgia, it just isn't what it used to be...
What are the chances of a PPRuNE charter flight before shed goes
I would certainly see how far the piggy bank would stretch for a chance to go supersonic in the old girl As a lad, from the garden I could hear the sound of the Olympuses (Olympii ??) being run up on the flying test-beds at Filton -- and every now and agin see her come over the house on a wide circuit.... Sigh, nostalgia, it just isn't what it used to be...
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you think BA would sell her if anyone seriously wanted to buy ?
And I'm sure they would be able to cash in on selling thier supersonic flying and engineering expertise to a prospective buyer.
What I suspect will happen is that most of the Concorde fleet will become spare parts
Hopefully an air musuem like Duxford will come to the rescue and keep one or two flying.
On another thought, What will happen to the crews and especially the flight engineers? As I understand it there is not much call for FE's in BA these days.....
Gary.
Last edited by PPRuNeUser0171; 10th Apr 2003 at 20:59.
The lunchtime news just reported that Concorde is to be retired this autumn. The report included an interview with Eddington saying that it's no longer economical.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Not where I should be...
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't think anyone could afford to fly them.
Museums - Duxford and FAA museums have them already - I suppose it depends on runways available or sponsorship the get them dismantled and transported on where else they could go.
Wouldn't be suprised if one ends up at new museum type thing at Manchester (the one that one of the RJX prototypes went to a few months ago).
And I expect that one (or more, or even more) will end up in the US (NASM, and Seattle Museum...)
Museums - Duxford and FAA museums have them already - I suppose it depends on runways available or sponsorship the get them dismantled and transported on where else they could go.
Wouldn't be suprised if one ends up at new museum type thing at Manchester (the one that one of the RJX prototypes went to a few months ago).
And I expect that one (or more, or even more) will end up in the US (NASM, and Seattle Museum...)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: london
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Typical BA muddled thinking and money-wasting.
How many millions did it cost to get them back in the air after the Paris crash???
If BA senior management had done just a small amount of research they would have realised at the time that the market for premium air travel was shrinking rapidly and that it would have been more cost effective to keep them grounded ....
How many millions did it cost to get them back in the air after the Paris crash???
If BA senior management had done just a small amount of research they would have realised at the time that the market for premium air travel was shrinking rapidly and that it would have been more cost effective to keep them grounded ....
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Leeds, UK
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pacific route?
given that pacific routes from the US West Coast are longer (more time saved for businessmen) than trans-atlantic, and that the routes are by and large over water (sonic boom), I wonder if Concorde wouldn't fit rather nicely on the other pond??
S
S
I don`t think the old girl has the legs for LAX-NRT, since Concorde has a range of 4500 miles IIRC, LAX-NRT is 5400+.
I guess with a fuel stop in HNL, it could do it.
Wonder how long it would take total.
I guess with a fuel stop in HNL, it could do it.
Wonder how long it would take total.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
Age: 46
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sad news in difficult times. A truly beautiful and aeroplane and a triumph of engineering that will never be surpassed.
I used to love watch Concorde speed gracefully down the Bristol channel on my radar screen at Yeovilton when I was a Freddie, or her French counterpart down the channel when at sea. Radar and auto track system use to track it perfectly - loads of doppler!
Wonder if some sort of heritage trust or something to maybe keep one aircraft flying doing a once a week out of EGLL and once a week out of LFPG or something. Dreams dreams dreams
Speedbird 1, cleared to aeroplane heaven, RIP.
I used to love watch Concorde speed gracefully down the Bristol channel on my radar screen at Yeovilton when I was a Freddie, or her French counterpart down the channel when at sea. Radar and auto track system use to track it perfectly - loads of doppler!
Wonder if some sort of heritage trust or something to maybe keep one aircraft flying doing a once a week out of EGLL and once a week out of LFPG or something. Dreams dreams dreams
Speedbird 1, cleared to aeroplane heaven, RIP.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Really, pretty sad news 
It makes me fill with pride to have seen her at the forefront of UK aviation , and for so long.
Truly innovative, Truly beautiful , Truly way ahead of her time.
True BA has various financial considerations, and she is not resistant to falling under this umbrella.
But, it is testament to them that She flew for them for such a long time , and carried the Flag for the UK in such a remarkable and inimitable way.
I hope that very careful consideration is given to her preservation and historical significance
It makes me fill with pride to have seen her at the forefront of UK aviation , and for so long.
Truly innovative, Truly beautiful , Truly way ahead of her time.
True BA has various financial considerations, and she is not resistant to falling under this umbrella.
But, it is testament to them that She flew for them for such a long time , and carried the Flag for the UK in such a remarkable and inimitable way.
I hope that very careful consideration is given to her preservation and historical significance
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: At the foot of the Lammermuirs
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sad Day
I was fortunate to fly in her to JFK for New Year 2001. Ever since I was a kid I had longed to do it and I'm glad I had the opportunity. She's not that comfy compared to Club World or First but ...............she's CONCORDE!
For all those asking if BA would sell I'm pretty certain that they have already said that they would not as all are destined for Museums.
For all those asking if BA would sell I'm pretty certain that they have already said that they would not as all are destined for Museums.
IMHO, the two greatest aircraft ever to grace the skies were the Vulcan and Concorde. Strangely enough both RR Olympus powered.
As for BA selling any to Sir RB, I think not. I reckon Rod Eddington would rather convert them into Spam cans than give his biggest rival a supersonic advantage. Yes, BA are a business, but can anyone EVER see this happening......naw!!!!!
As for BA selling any to Sir RB, I think not. I reckon Rod Eddington would rather convert them into Spam cans than give his biggest rival a supersonic advantage. Yes, BA are a business, but can anyone EVER see this happening......naw!!!!!
Bollox to museums, give them to some one who will keep the things flying. Lets see them at airshows doing what they do best: FLYING, not stuck in some shed gathering dust!!!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All gone .....
Just tried to book two seats and they have all gone. I had always promised myself to fly supersonic Wahhhhh!
Guess I'll just have to go fly at Thunder City instead .... hmm hands on Lightning time should look good in the ol' log book. Guess I can still dream.
Quack
Guess I'll just have to go fly at Thunder City instead .... hmm hands on Lightning time should look good in the ol' log book. Guess I can still dream.
Quack
The BA3 to JFK on 12/05/95 with my sister and Dad was quite simply one of the most memorable journeys I've ever made
- courtesy of staff travel, he flew it again, twice, to BGI, and it just got better and better. I'd better dig out the souvenir fountain pen and preserve it! Might be worth something..........!
- courtesy of staff travel, he flew it again, twice, to BGI, and it just got better and better. I'd better dig out the souvenir fountain pen and preserve it! Might be worth something..........!