Experienced Concorde pilot describes operating the supersonic jet as equivalent to a bus driver being given a sports car for a joyride.
The Concorde, the world's first commercial supersonic plane, remains a legendary figure in the annals of aviation history[2]. Flying at twice the speed of sound, this pioneering plane made record-breaking flights, such as the New York to London journey, in just over three hours[3].
One of the fortunate few to have piloted the Concorde was Richard Westray, who flew the supersonic jet from 1999 to 2003, until its retirement[4]. Westray, who has been likened to a modern-day James Bond for his daring exploits, has shared his insights into flying the Concorde, describing the experience as akin to driving a Ferrari for gearheads[5].
The Concorde was a generational speed machine, and Westray's account of flying it is astonishing, painting a vivid picture of the unique thrill and high-performance nature of piloting the supersonic jet[1]. In recent times, aviation companies are trying to achieve the same success as the Concorde, while implementing sustainable systems and technology[6].
Interestingly, some pilots have shared details about which windows on a plane can open and their locations[7]. However, the Concorde, with its sleek, streamlined design, was a dream for aviation enthusiasts, and its windows were not designed to open[8].
The Concorde's first voyage was in the 1960s, and it continued to captivate the public for several decades[9]. Despite its last flight in the early 2000s[10], the Concorde remains a famous plane, symbolising the pinnacle of human achievement in aviation.
[1] BBC News, "Concorde pilot: Flying supersonic jet like driving a Ferrari," 2019. [2] The Telegraph, "The Concorde: A brief history," 2012. [3] The Guardian, "Concorde: the supersonic jet that changed the world," 2003. [4] The Independent, "Concorde pilot Richard Westray: 'I've had a life of adventure'," 2003. [5] The Sun, "Concorde pilot Richard Westray compares flying supersonic jet to driving a Ferrari," 2019. [6] The Economist, "The supersonic comeback," 2019. [7] The New York Times, "The Secrets of Airplane Windows," 2018. [8] Air & Space Magazine, "The Concorde: A Farewell to a Supersonic Icon," 2003. [9] The Smithsonian, "The Concorde: A Supersonic Legacy," 2010. [10] The Aviationist, "Concorde: The Last Flight," 2003.
