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The Flight |
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So, I was there ... on Concorde at last, and sitting in those world renowned, Connolly leather seats. I gazed out of the two windows available to me, and like others before, remarked on how small they were. The guy who sat next to me introduced himself as Pieter - a seasoned Concorde traveller and a New Yorker. As rows 1 - 10 boarded, I got my camcorder out and started filming. Aaargh - "Clean tape head", the message said. How can that be ? - the camcorder has had less than one hour's use from new ... I searched around my bag and found my tape head cleaner. I cleaned the tape head and re-inserted a new blank cassette. Fortunately, nothing much had happened during the cleaning process. In the meantime, we discuss Rod Stewart and Pieter mentions that Yoko Ono is on board this flight to New York. {The cabin is much darker than in, say a 747, so those cameras with automatic flash do precisely that - flash ! However, this isn't so good when taking pictures of the Marilake displays. I had read about this on the ConcordeSST Forums, so came prepared with the automatic flash turned off.} |
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Our flight crew for today was: Captain John White, First Officer - Jonathan Napier & Engineering Officer - Richard Maher (thanks Douglas). Roll film and Action .... The doors were closed and we pushed off from the stand. There was a hint of kerosene in the cabin, but not so much as to be alarmed - I guess it adds to the ambiance of the flight. As we taxied to Runway 27R, the Safety demonstration followed. We had to wait for a couple of other departures before it was our turn. We paused at the beginning of the runway, then came the loud roar of the engines and we went off like a cat with a rocket up it's proverbial backside (I counted 35 seconds from standing start to being airborne). Blinking heck was the thought going through my mind {the printable version} - that's an experience no amount of priming can prepare you for. The engine noise was tremendous - it gives you great confidence that they are more than capable of doing their job. The reheats were cut out at 18 seconds after takeoff as part of the noise abatement procedure. We gained altitude at about 2000 feet per minute to 26,000 feet (Mach 0.95) when the cabin crew start dishing out the champagne. Estimated flight time today is 3 hours 20 minutes. After we left the Welsh coast behind us, the reheats were put back on in pairs and we accelerated from Mach 0.95 and steadily climbed in altitude. Waahay, Mach 1 at 27,500 feet ... didn't really notice anything much when we broke the sound barrier. At 33,000 feet we were at Mach 1.11 and at 39,000 feet were were doing Mach 1.43 At 46,000 feet, were were scooting along at Mach 1.83 and they were ready to serve the canapes; "More champagne sir" ? It wasn't until after the meal - we had been cruising at Mach 1.94 (49,000 feet) for what seemed a very long time before we finally got to Mach 2 (@49,500 feet) - I was just about to ask for a refund or to have another try ..... Needless to say, the obligatory photo opportunities in front of the displays had to be taken. I felt the window - as had been mentioned previously, it was hot to the touch. I looked out of the windows to see the curvature of the earth, but if it was there, one couldn't be sure if other distorting influences (curvature of the windows, lense effect etc) were at play. The sky did have a darkness to it, and I realised how close to space I was ... I also took the opportunity to visit the loo - taking the proverbial piss at 56,000 feet and at twice the speed of sound - how many others can make that claim ! The toilet was small and basic ... but it did have a nice red rose in a vase. Our maximum altitude was 57,000 feet (although the Marilake display never showed more than 56,500 feet) - I believe that this was due to a full load and because it was a very hot day. |
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There was only a stereo entertainment system onboard (via noise cancelling headphones) - no movies etc, but we had our own inflight entertainment - this was watching the cabin crew rush up and down, serving Champagne, Canapes, Entrées, Dessert, Cheese, coffee etc. And finally, they had to do the Duty Free run. I wanted the Corgi model Concorde twin pack and the Concorde keyring. The twin pack was sold out the row in front of me - the swine bought all 5 packs from the Duty Free trolley. But I got the last but one keyring. Our lovely flight attendant, French-speaking Laurence, took pity and gave me a very large Concorde white carrier bag as an extra memento and also gave me a Concorde mail order form to order my planes. {You can get the twin planes set on the subsonic flights (along with the snap-fit model), if they don't have any left when the trolley gets to you} I am sure that there were many disapponted passengers at the rear of the plane - perhaps British Airways would consider selling some of the items via the Concorde Room. |
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And so to the descent ... we dropped altitude and airspeed very quickly. When we had slowed to Mach 1.2 (45,000 feet) , the blue envelopes containing our flight certificate and B&W photo was handed out. A quick check revealed that they were unsigned ... Within a matter of minutes we were readying for approach to JFK. Pieter commented that the approach we were making was not the usual one he has experienced - this one was a lot more dramatic. He pointed out some items of interest that were visible - Verrazano-Narrows bridge (linking Staten Island with Brooklyn); Manhattan skyline in the distance. At this point, the Marilake display was indicating 300mph, and was then switched to "Thank You for flying Concorde".... but we haven't finished yet, I thought ... I can only assume that were were doing the infamous Canarsie approach {or should that read Kamikaze approach}. We came in over Brooklyn, and then proceeded towards Queens. One minute we were banking, and the next there was the bleeding runway below us, closing rapidly. The rear wheels touched down, followed by the front ones. Then there was the tremendous roar as the reverse thrusters kicked in and the brakes applied. We were at walking pace within about 17 seconds - I'm glad I had my seat-belt on ! @*$!&*^ - What an experience ! .... "Mum can we go again", sprang into my mind. Pieter remarked: "You've survived your first Concorde flight, Congratulations" {with a big grin on his face}. We waited for what seemed like ages for a United Airlines plane to vacate our stand -{British Airways shares Terminal 7 at JFK with United Airlines}. Eventually we got to the stand and "deplaned". Those of us who wanted our flight certificates signed formed an orderly queue (there were probably about 30 or so of us), and we were ushered into the cockpit and ushered out again - just enough time for one photo. Perhaps if the certificates were pre-signed, not so many would have needed to go, allowing those that really want a close-up of the cockpit and a chat with the flight crew a little bit longer. They had thoughtfully sent down a wheelchair for the elderly gentleman mentioned earlier - he waived them away, insisting that he could get to the terminal "on his own steam" ! |
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Arrival formalities were straight forward and quick - we had already completed the Visa Waiver form and the Customs declaration back at LHR - (you can get these at the desk in the Concorde Room). Collection of the baggage was just as painless - probably because there's not as many bags to unload as on a 747. After handing in my Customs Declaration form, I passed into the arrivals hall to be greeted by a man with a card bearing my name - this was for my Sedan transfer to my hotel in Manhattan. {For Sedan, read big car with comfy leather seats, gloss black paintwork and air-conditioning} |
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| Many thanks to our cabin crew, who were (in no particular order), Jeremy, Joanne, Jo Van Gaver, Laurence and a couple of others whom I didn't get to meet. |
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