Concorde to fly again?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Why not...?
After the Paris air crash, AF & BA spent money on updating the entire concorde fleet to such an extent that after they were restored, they were technically brand new aircraft.
Alas, they were taken out of service purely because of finances. Less people were flying with concorde, (one little crash, and in circumstances which could have occured to any aircraft).
Although when both airlines announced they were to get shot of concorde, sales went through the roof, however both airlines were too proud to go back on their word, (and their wallets).
This is why only so few were made, they were very expensive to operate. They also didn't carry many passengers, to each flight was going to cost a lot.
The other reason was that AF and BA were the only airlines which could both afford the aircraft, and have a need to run it (for TA travel). Other EU Airlines couldn't afford to run concordes, or had no need. If they could fly over the land, then more american airlines would probably have bought a few for the NY-LA Run, but as supersonic travel was banned (even opposed by Charles Lyndburg) over the US, they thought it wouldn't be worth it.
If more had been made, more people would have felt comfortable flying on it, and it wouldn't have been taken out of service after just one major incident.
Alas, they were taken out of service purely because of finances. Less people were flying with concorde, (one little crash, and in circumstances which could have occured to any aircraft).
Although when both airlines announced they were to get shot of concorde, sales went through the roof, however both airlines were too proud to go back on their word, (and their wallets).
This is why only so few were made, they were very expensive to operate. They also didn't carry many passengers, to each flight was going to cost a lot.
The other reason was that AF and BA were the only airlines which could both afford the aircraft, and have a need to run it (for TA travel). Other EU Airlines couldn't afford to run concordes, or had no need. If they could fly over the land, then more american airlines would probably have bought a few for the NY-LA Run, but as supersonic travel was banned (even opposed by Charles Lyndburg) over the US, they thought it wouldn't be worth it.
If more had been made, more people would have felt comfortable flying on it, and it wouldn't have been taken out of service after just one major incident.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 587
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From: Planet Claire
If it had been the Boeing or McDD Concorde there would be thousands of them, there'd be no US ban due noise & the USAF would have a fleet of SR-73 Concorde ELINT /Recce a/c as well as a couple squadrons of B-73 Concorde supersonic bombers.
Always the same in the UK. Great at building stuff but !!!! at selling it
Always the same in the UK. Great at building stuff but !!!! at selling it
Not Manchester
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Salford
If it had been the Boeing or McDD Concorde you wouldn't have seen the "environmentalist" opposition to it the USA, either. It would have been open house at every major airport in the land.
No point in knocking ourselves, mate - a classic case of "not invented here" killed off the Concorde's commercial prospects long before any oil price hike.
No point in knocking ourselves, mate - a classic case of "not invented here" killed off the Concorde's commercial prospects long before any oil price hike.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 716
Likes: 7
From: London
The full words...
Speedbird One - “I would like to thank you all, ATC, all the fans at the end of the runway on their airband radios, and to some of the media who have supported this aeroplane over the years, I would like to dedicate this last 001 take-off. But I can say that if this magnificent machine was alive, it would be crying supersonic tears tonight."
ATC – “Well thanks for that, and we're all sorry up here as well.”
Speedbird One - “3 2 1 NOW” - Commander Adrian Thompson holds RT open for the throttles.
Thousands at the end of 9R then watch the reheats for the final time, on the last "Double Oh One" to KJFK.
-----
It's not coming back.
Speedbird One - “I would like to thank you all, ATC, all the fans at the end of the runway on their airband radios, and to some of the media who have supported this aeroplane over the years, I would like to dedicate this last 001 take-off. But I can say that if this magnificent machine was alive, it would be crying supersonic tears tonight."
ATC – “Well thanks for that, and we're all sorry up here as well.”
Speedbird One - “3 2 1 NOW” - Commander Adrian Thompson holds RT open for the throttles.
Thousands at the end of 9R then watch the reheats for the final time, on the last "Double Oh One" to KJFK.
-----
It's not coming back.
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: South East UK
Oh, for heaven's sake, give it a 
rest.
This constant saccharine sentimentality has turned me from being a Concorde admirer to being so fed up of hearing about it that I wish I had all the soddin spares so that I could make sure the damn thing stayed on the ground.
Reading all this sugary nonsense is like eating a syrup-and-honey cake while watching the last reel of a U-rated Spielberg movie.
rest.This constant saccharine sentimentality has turned me from being a Concorde admirer to being so fed up of hearing about it that I wish I had all the soddin spares so that I could make sure the damn thing stayed on the ground.
Reading all this sugary nonsense is like eating a syrup-and-honey cake while watching the last reel of a U-rated Spielberg movie.
Not Manchester
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Salford
I'm with KC.
It was an aeroplane, for pity's sake. A machine for moving people from A to B.
A very uneconomical and inefficient one, too.
It's gone.
It won't be back.
Not ever.
Time to move on........
It was an aeroplane, for pity's sake. A machine for moving people from A to B.
A very uneconomical and inefficient one, too.
It's gone.
It won't be back.
Not ever.
Time to move on........
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Twyford, UK
I think the spares issue is a Herring Rouge.! There are plenty of aircraft out there to rob, plus a warehouseful of bits.
What matters most is the type certificate which has been withdrawn by the manufacturers. This makes it illegal to fly it.
Maybe they could put it on a Permit to Fly. Now there's a thoguht.!!! The PFA should be prepared to accept an application.
Sorry folks...this one is just not going to fly. No pun intended.!
No matter how much you want it, sometimes the problems are insurmountable, much as I, you, and the whole world wants it.
Even BA, ever mindful of a good PR opportunity, bowed out of operating one on the circuit.
What matters most is the type certificate which has been withdrawn by the manufacturers. This makes it illegal to fly it.
Maybe they could put it on a Permit to Fly. Now there's a thoguht.!!! The PFA should be prepared to accept an application.
Sorry folks...this one is just not going to fly. No pun intended.!
No matter how much you want it, sometimes the problems are insurmountable, much as I, you, and the whole world wants it.
Even BA, ever mindful of a good PR opportunity, bowed out of operating one on the circuit.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Yes, it was just a machine. A lump of metal designed to carry SLF from one place to another!
The difference came in that it did it quickly, was designed at a time when UK engineering was at its best, and gave the UK something to be proud of.
Like him or loathe him, Jeremy Clarkson is right, when something is designed, engineered and built with such dedication, and gives such an outstanding end product, then even though it is only a couple of hundred tons of metal, it has a soul of its own, and for me that sums up concorde pretty well.
As pilots, we all hold a little thought at the back of our minds, no matter how realistic we wish to be, that maybe the old girl will take to the skies once again.
The difference came in that it did it quickly, was designed at a time when UK engineering was at its best, and gave the UK something to be proud of.
Like him or loathe him, Jeremy Clarkson is right, when something is designed, engineered and built with such dedication, and gives such an outstanding end product, then even though it is only a couple of hundred tons of metal, it has a soul of its own, and for me that sums up concorde pretty well.
As pilots, we all hold a little thought at the back of our minds, no matter how realistic we wish to be, that maybe the old girl will take to the skies once again.
i can't see concorde being in the air again but i would love to see it at East Fortune when it is fully restored. does anyone know if this has been completed yet or notJoined: Aug 2003
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Quite correct, the French did play their part.
They also had significanetly more than a passing interest in her early demise, owing to the fact the Airbus (A mainly French company) and Air Trance decided that they had better things to so with their time than preserve a piece of history.
On that basis, although the French played a part in the design, they effectively killed her off single handed, and on that vasis they are not worthy of a mention, so there!!!!
They also had significanetly more than a passing interest in her early demise, owing to the fact the Airbus (A mainly French company) and Air Trance decided that they had better things to so with their time than preserve a piece of history.
On that basis, although the French played a part in the design, they effectively killed her off single handed, and on that vasis they are not worthy of a mention, so there!!!!
Not Manchester
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Salford
On that basis, although the French played a part in the design, they effectively killed her off single handed, and on that vasis they are not worthy of a mention, so there!!!!
What's a "vasis", BTW?
The Cooler King
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 30
From: Europe
cessna l plate
Stand in the middle of the "Concorde Tent" in Le Bourget (where there are two of them!) and shout out your opinions at the top of your voice.......then wait for the response.
the french are very proud of Le Concorde.......and you my friend, will quickly be branded a "Connard!"
Salut!
Stand in the middle of the "Concorde Tent" in Le Bourget (where there are two of them!) and shout out your opinions at the top of your voice.......then wait for the response.
the french are very proud of Le Concorde.......and you my friend, will quickly be branded a "Connard!"
Salut!
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 1,114
From: UK
How many more times?
THE DAMNED THING WAS CRACKING UP.
This was known well before 9-11 and kept under constant review.
The entire fleet required extensive life extension modification work to continue SAFE operation.
BA, AF, AIRBUS and the two governments could not afford the huge cost involved.
Yes, it is sad but please, GET OVER IT!
THE DAMNED THING WAS CRACKING UP.
This was known well before 9-11 and kept under constant review.
The entire fleet required extensive life extension modification work to continue SAFE operation.
BA, AF, AIRBUS and the two governments could not afford the huge cost involved.
Yes, it is sad but please, GET OVER IT!