LAST AUDIO DEPARTURE OF BRITISH AIRWAYS CONCORDE FROM JFK NEW YORK!
Captain Mike Bannister (Left) in Command.
For Sunday, I wanted to follow up yesterday's BLOG post with something never done before on this Blogsite. I felt it fitting to salute our British friends with the final cockpit to tower audio transmissions before the last departure of the majestic British Airways Concorde SST from JFK International Airport in New York bound for London Heathrow. You don't have to be an airline junkie to appreciate the genuine and close friendship between America and England. Crews from United and American Airlines can be heard requesting permission to taxi to a viewing spot to bid farewell. For the record, here is the crew:
- Capt. Mike Bannsiter
- SFO Jonathan Napier
- SEO David Hoyle
- SEO Robert Woodcock
Departure Time: 07:28 EST (12:38 GMT)
Final ever supersonic BA002 from New York to London
October 23, 2003
___
Simply Click On the audio below. On the evening of 23 October 2003, the Queen consented to the illumination of Windsor Castle as Concorde's last west-bound commercial flight departed London and flew overhead. This is an honor normally reserved for major state events and visiting dignitaries.
And lastly, may I just add as a romantic at heart that we truly miss Concorde!
http://fly.blakecrosby.com
Monday, I begin focusing on my trip to Florida and the events leading up to the National Parkinson Foundation Gala, which I eagerly look forward to sharing with you!
posted by Michael Manning @ 12:05 AM
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12 Comments:
Wow! Lucky those who got to take flight on her wings! (Do they refer to planes as "her?" lol!) Forgive my lack of knowledge, but does the Concorde still fly in Europe or is it permantly grounded now?
I bet it was a beauty inside :)
Concode is grounded, as far as I know.
I'm pretty sure that's the plane that flew into our City a couple of months ago..HUGE!
Hi Michael.. HUGS~
I felt very fortunate to be among those who welcomed the arrival of Mike Bannister, Les Broadie and crew bringing the retiring Concorde G-BOAG (214) to its new home at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. There just is no sound like that skinny, but elegant little bird. It is much smaller than one would expect it to be! I loved seeing the plane there, but I have to admit some sadness that she wasn't ever going to fly again. My 2nd cousin used to love to fly the Concorde when she could on her trips from New York to England. She used to laughingly remark about it being her motivation to stay trim since the accommodations were fairly cramped - her "Concorde Diet" she used to call it!
Oh! I forgot the Seattle PI link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/147107_concorde06.html
Carolyn: She is properly called "Concorde" and there is immense pride in this engineering marvel. There were 20 built, but only 12 were flown. Actress Christie Brinkley was aboard the flight you hear on the audio. Tickets were $9,000.00 (US) each. All 20 are on static display throughout England and the world.
jean-luc-picard: Yes, indeed. All 20 airframes are preserved as static displays. One is kept in near flying status by a non-profit group hoping for a 2010 flight. I have a large fiberglass model of the British Airways Concorde in my home.
Heidi: Concorde's last U.S. departure is captured on my Blog. The next day all were retired. There were two charter flights in November and then a big suction for children's charity was held for spare parts. I'm sure you saw an impressive bird. But sadly, not Concorde. Nice to see you, BTW! :)
Seamus: Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. I used to debate with our senior magazine contributor about the economics. And although he is a British chap, he is a wonderful economist who I cannot compete with on the cost factors for operating Concorde.He found it ridiculous. In the spirit of the late Juan Trippe of Pan Am (who placed an initial order), I loved the idea. Nevertheless, BA made millions on Corncorde. I supported Sir Richard Branson's offer to buy all the British-owned Concordes the day after their retirement. But BA refused to open their financial books to Sir Richard (no love lost there) and I felt this was a tragic mistake out of spite. Concorde was a victim of the surge in fuel prices after the 9/11 attacks, the $10,000 (US) seat prices, and the refusal of Airbus to provide ongoing maintenance (the latter was deliberate in my own opinion). The first flight took place in 1969. Passenger service from 1976-2003 was flawless with the exception of the Air France Paris crash of July 25, 2000 (through no fault of Concorde). In fact, all Concorde ships were at great expense refitted with Kevlar interior wing insulation and tire modifications. Seating was 80 souls on board and was as you say cramped. Still, she is an ageless beauty. How lucky you were to be at that event, Seamus! Thanks for the link!
Michael I am almost certain it was the concorde that flew into Montreal..Ok I need to verify..lol I'll be back.
ok..I'm back...Yout right of course!
I was thinkibg about the huge plane that seats like 800 people..That's the one that landed here.
I've been in that plane -- at the museum here in Seattle. I was surprised at how small it was on the inside; I guess I expected seats that were larger than on regular planes, but it was actually quite narrow.
Hey Becky! Yeah, they had to streamline it due to design factors of intense heat, expansion-contraction and Mach speeds. Only "the beautiful people" could afford the seats at $10,0000 each. I've walked underneath and around one while in service (with a Press Pass). Hope I get to see the one by you! :)
Michael Manning, you obviously do not know as much about Concorde as you though you did.
You seem to be under the impression that Concorde is just British, but it was actually jointly French.
20 Aircraft were built, ALL of them flew. 14 of them however, were flown in commercial service.
Only 18 of them exist, not 20 as you said, as one crashed in 2000 and the other was taken out of service by Air France in 1982 due to it being a surplus. It was then used for parts and subsequently scrapped in 1994 due to corrosion.
One aircraft is NOT kept in near flight condition, but it is as near as they can get it - there is a difference.
The day after the last departure from the US, all were not retired. They were gradually retired to museums up until Nov 23rd, which is when the last Concorde made (G-BOAF) landed for the last time in Filton, UK - this was also the last landing. All the retirement flights were charter fights, for all 5 of BA's Concordes. The other two were not modified after the crash, and had not flown since 2000. One was transported to Scotland by barge and the other remains at Heathrow.
Concorde would seat 100 with BA, AF would seat 108 before the crash and 92 after the crash.
Concorde was NOT cramped. You had an economy sized seat, although a custom made and very expensive seat, with a premium economy seat pitch (Legroom). Considering you are not in Concorde for any more than 4 hours, this is more than enough. Headroom was tight when standing up, but you are seated the majority of time.
Considering what you could get for a subsonic first class seat, however, it was tight in comparison.
BA, as you said made millions, but AF less so, and it wasn't terribly successful for them.
Many people could fly on Concorde through charter flights, and it is a myth that only people with more money than sense could fly on it. Sure it was expensive, but it was more accessible than people think.
With you being a journalist, I think you should brush up on your info before telling people incorrect 'facts'.
Wow! Just found this while looking for a way to contact Mike Bannister, the former Concorde Captain. Especially like the ATC audio there. Great shame about Concorde. Although I fly the Boeing 747-400 in the virtual world, I was insensed that the French Airbus company (now owners of the Type Certificate for Concorde, formerly with what was Aerospatial) decided to revoke the type certificate, effectively ending any chance of returning a Concorde to flight status. Thus far, Airbus refuse to re-instate that certificate, which would then allow a Concorde to become certified for flight again. Anyhow, great page - and would appreciate any help in contacting Mike Bannister (can't find anything on the Web) who we wish to invite to our 10-year Conference in the UK next May. Take care all - Lee, West Sussex UK (Airport Security - LHR; email-baw9dv@live.co.uk)
Lee: No idea on this one. I miss Concorde too. Cheers!
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