End of Concorde

[Fencer128]

Hi,

It's a sad day today as Concorde is about to be grounded for good. I hope some day that supersonic jet tech comes down to reasonable enough prices such that commercial operators can go with it. I REALLY wanted to fly in that aircraft one day. I can't imagine what it must be like to fly across the atlantic and back 3 times in one day at mach 2.

Anyone here ever been lucky enough to fly on Concorde? What was it like?

Cheers,

Andy

ps This is in PaN as it's a big news item today that Concorde is retiring.

 

[freegeeks]

a sad day in aviation indeed.

 

[phillyTIM]

Why hasn't anything replaced it by now?

Certainly there is a need for such supersonic speed, especially in this flash-moving day and age.

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: phillyTIM
Why hasn't anything replaced it by now?

Certainly there is a need for such supersonic speed, especially in this flash-moving day and age.

for the same reason Concorde is retiring. It was more a prestige thing

too expensive.

Concorde was never a commerically viable project

 

[phillyTIM]

But that's how most things start out, freegeeks

 

[Fencer128]

Originally posted by: phillyTIM
But that's how most things start out, freegeeks

It has been suggested that R&D for a larger more commercially viable supersonic aircraft to replace Concorde would require a budget not too disimilar to that of the Apollo space program. Unless governments got involved the costs to develop this tech are just too high for airline companies. Furthermore there is no guarantee that having spent this money they won't end up with a much larger capacity but equally expensive to run and maintain aircraft as Concorde, but scaled up.

Lastly, there isn't a *need*. People are crying out (with their wallets) for more supersonic travel. They're happy enough with their cheap airfares and subsonic speeds.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[heartsurgeon]

i always thought the Concorde was a huge airplane.

finally saw one in mexico (cancun)..

it was TINY!

about the size of one of those 50 seat commuter jets...
much smaller than a regular commercial airliner..

but it was still cool..

 

[Gand1]

Also acording to laws the only time a plane can achieve supersonic speed is over international waters. There is also generally not enough runway space for most Concords to land.

Wish I had a linky but I'm sure this is a major reason.

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: Gand1
Also acording to laws the only time a plane can achieve supersonic speed is over international waters. There is also generally not enough runway space for most Concords to land.

Wish I had a linky but I'm sure this is a major reason.

not entirely true

the reason why British Airways and Air France were the only users is very simple.
During the development of the Concorde there was a huge competition between Great-Britain&France and the USA.

Boeing failed to develop a supersonic plane and Concorde already had several hundred preorders on the Concorde.

At that moment the US govt. passed a law that forbid the Concorde to go supersonic over US territory (to protect US avaiation industry interests).
that combined with the '73 oil crisis limited the users of the Concorde

 

[dmcowen674]

10-24-2003 Concorde Landing Brings Supersonic Era to a Close

LONDON (Reuters) - Concorde flew home to Britain on its last passenger flight on Friday to an emotional welcome from thousands of aviation enthusiasts mourning the passing of the supersonic era.

In a carefully choreographed return, it was joined on the last run in by two other Concordes coming back from short-haul commemorative flights.

For many it was a sad moment -- aviation is now going slower rather than faster.

Some of the biggest regrets about Concorde's demise are being voiced by flamboyant British entrepreneur Richard Branson. The Virgin Atlantic boss offered to take over Concorde from his arch-rival but British Airways declined.

Reflecting on the end of a chapter in aviation history, he told Reuters Television: "The idea that it will never fly again just seems completely and utterly wrong.

British motoring correspondent and self-confessed speed freak Jeremy Clarkson, who took the last Concorde flight, said: "Getting off this plane will be one giant leap backwards for mankind."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was going to post a Thread Title something like "Mankind flys backwards", similar to what people now said in this article above.
We're going backwards in a lot of ways, not just in the sky.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: freegeeks

Originally posted by: Gand1
Also acording to laws the only time a plane can achieve supersonic speed is over international waters. There is also generally not enough runway space for most Concords to land.

Wish I had a linky but I'm sure this is a major reason.

not entirely true

the reason why British Airways and Air France were the only users is very simple.
During the development of the Concorde there was a huge competition between Great-Britain&France and the USA.

Boeing failed to develop a supersonic plane and Concorde already had several hundred preorders on the Concorde.

At that moment the US govt. passed a law that forbid the Concorde to go supersonic over US territory (to protect US avaiation industry interests).
that combined with the '73 oil crisis limited the users of the Concorde

that and its limited fuel limited it to flying over only one of the worlds large oceans

it certainly was a prestige project, it was to canceled by anyone with common sense. it was there to sooth the wound of not having a space project. boeing went with the smart decision and the 747 was profitable. now the europeans are going super large while boeing goes small and efficient

 

[DealMonkey]

I always wondered who these people were who could afford $8,000+ plane tickets. I don't care how fast it goes.