Roll call, who has flown Concorde?

[oyster]

None of this cheapo first class stuff, what about the real deal?

[NDA]

I got upgraded on a BA first class ticket coming back from New York onto Concorde. At the time I didn't really see what all the fuss was about - but now it's gone, I do. A bit.

[Nimbus]

oyster said:

None of this cheapo first class stuff, what about the real deal?

Yes thanks, JFK back to Heathrow 1 month before it stopped service.

Worth every penny

[I.T.B]

Uber rich s

[Don]

I flew from Toronto to Montreal. Then Montreal to Heathrow. The stop in Montreal was because the runway in Toronto was too short for it to take off with a full fuel load.

That's twice through take off. As the captain said "You will find the performance somewhat more sprightly than that of conventional aircraft".

The wife and I did it purely for the experience - I wanted to fly in Concorde before it was decomissioned. Had a great five day break in Toronto first, too, even if I did have to sit through "The Phantom Of The Opera" (the Mrs wanted to see it).

[Sciroccology]

Do you mean "flown" or "flown in" Concorde?




Either way, it's a no from me.

[Bee_Jay]

Yes thanks.

To be honest a Gulfstream (G5) feels more impressive on takeoff, possibly because it is smaller though not supersonic.

[stuart-b]

I didn't get a chance, but both my grand parents have.

Maybe they'll commission another plane like it one day ...

[walm]

stuart-b said:

I didn't get a chance, but both my grand parents have.

Maybe they'll commission another plane like it one day ...

Not me. Nor any of my grand parents. But then they aren't in a league where commissioning the next concorde is something they might do...

[Maxf]

One of my biggest regrets is not taking a ticket when I had the chance - it was just some comedy flight to Scotland (not even landing IIRC) but was one of the last flights and wasn't crazy money. I was at uni though and cash was used on other stuff

[Fidgits]

i was so gutted i didn't get a chance... i was saving my BA miles to use it, and just couldnt get the last of the reasonably priced flights before it was retired!

[stuart-b]

Reading Wikipedia...

wikipedia said:

Due to jet engines being highly inefficient at low speeds, Concorde burned two tonnes of fuel taxiing to the runway.[17] To conserve fuel only the two outer engines were run after landing. The thrust from two engines was sufficient for taxiing to the ramp due to low aircraft weight upon landing at its destination. A Concorde once ran out of fuel taxiing to the terminal after a flight; the pilot was dismissed.

wikipedia said:

Due to a relatively high average takeoff speed of 250 mph (400 km/h), Concorde needed good brakes. Concorde used an anti-lock braking system, which stop the wheels from locking when fully applied, allowing greater deceleration and control during braking, particularly in wet conditions. The brakes were carbon-based and could bring Concorde, weighing up to 185 tons (188 tonnes) and travelling at 190 mph (305 km/h), to a stop from an aborted takeoff within one mile (1600 m). This braking manoeuvre brought the brakes to temperatures of 300 °C to 500 °C, requiring several hours for cooling.

Wow, serious brakes back in the 60's and 70's then!

[Hollow Legs]

Yep..... was fantastic. gutted when it was grounded.such an awsome experience.

managed to get it when I did a year in industry placement @ BA.

flew LHR - JFK on concorde and then stayed in a hostel.

[jamesgrrr]

I have

But I don't remember it as I was 2 at the time

[Dirty Boy]

that's quite remarkable

How many tonnes of fuel did they actually carry in total?

2 tonnes just to taxi!

[Eric Mc]

Carbon brakes (as well as basic steel disc brakes) were designed originally for use on aircraft.

Much early work on carbon fibre and other composite materials was carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough in the 1950s and 1960s.

[schmalex]

My wife flew on an Air France Concorde from CDG to JFK. Which was nice.

[Mekon]

I wish I had. My old man did from Bahrain, and I have some souveniers somewhere. I just finished Brian Trubshaw's (chief test pilot) book on it, and went to Duxford last weekend to see 101. Fantastic piece of kit. Incredible achievement.

Edited by Mekon on Thursday 28th August 11:08

[NDA]

There's a Concorde at Brooklands of course.....

[Justayellowbadge]

NDA said:

There's a Concorde at Brooklands of course.....

Been on that one.