Aeronautical heritage: Concorde designated as a national landmark

The Concorde, a marvel of aviation history, remains the fastest passenger aircraft in history. This supersonic jet, a joint project between France and the United Kingdom, broke the sound barrier on a flight, reaching Mach 1 in 1970 and Mach 2 shortly thereafter.

In 1962, a cooperation agreement was signed, marking the beginning of this groundbreaking venture. The first prototype, named Concorde 001, made its maiden flight on March 2, 1969. The Concorde entered service in 1976, primarily serving the route between Europe and North America.

On the London - New York route, the average flight time for the Concorde was 3.5 hours. In 1996, a record flight on this route was completed by the Concorde in under three hours, a record that remains unbroken. This performance, coupled with its ability to break the sound barrier, made the Concorde a symbol of France's industrial strength and innovative capability, as well as a symbol of international cooperation.

However, despite its impressive performance, the Concorde failed to break into the mass market due to high operating costs. The immense noise produced by the Concorde led to flight bans in many countries, further hindering its commercial success.

The first Concorde is now preserved as a monument of aviation history. In 2012, Concorde number 1 was officially designated as a protected monument by the French Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot, a testament to its significance for France.

Dominik Lelle, a member of the online editorial team of AERO INTERNATIONAL since 2023, is inspired by the world of aviation. His enthusiasm makes the world of aviation tangible and exciting for readers. Outside the editorial office, Dominik Lelle is a passionate traveler, always looking forward to discovering new horizons, both in aviation and travel.

The Concorde ceased operations in 2003, but its legacy lives on. It remains a symbol of a time when innovation and international cooperation pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in aviation. The first Concorde is a significant symbol for France, representing not just a piece of its industrial history, but also its spirit of innovation and determination.