Posts by user "Nick Thomas" [Posts: 53 Total up-votes: 0 Page: 3 of 3]¶

Landroger
Off topic I know but just in case you have not seen last months issue of "The Aeroplane" there are a couple of articles on the Martin Baker single seater fighters.
Regards
Nick

I have just come back from the pub so am being more open than normal. So I have to come out of the closet to admit that Concorde is the only inanimate object that I find "so sexy". I also think that most people that have contributed to this thread would agree with me.
Regards
Nick

Reading this thread has encouraged me to rewatch my Concorde ITVV DVD. During one of the checklists the term TLA is read out as part of the checklist and the reply was something like "13 degrees set"

Am I right in assuming that TLA stands for throttle lever angle? and if so did setting the throttles to a certain angle then give a known thrust setting?
Regards
Nick

Thanks all for your answers. Bellerophon when I typed my TLA question I could not remember the exact checklist phrase but on reading your answer I am certain that "Clocks and TLA bugs" is clearly said.

It never crossed my mind that there was a connection between Clocks and TLA. Of course if I had given it a little more thought I would have realised that they must be connected on the checklist for a good reason.

The other thing I noticed on the DVD was that the FE said that the brake pressure gauge didn't provide a reading untill about FL 450. I just wondered why that was?

Regards
Nick

I have yet another question!

This one concerns the FE and his Sharp pocket computer. On the ITVV DVD the FE explains that he takes a set of engine readings and then enters them into the pocket computer to arrive at an engine trend which he then plots onto a graph. I noticed that the graph was titled "EGT trend".

As there are EGT gauges on the front panel, I was wondering why readings taken directly from the gauges were not used or does the computer average out the EGT for the four engines? Are the EGT readings taken over a standard period of time or for different phases of flight etc?

Looking at the readings it appeared that he had recorded a lot more readings than just the EGT. He also added that the readings were handed to the ground engineers at the end of each flight.

It would be interesting to know what readings were recorded and the significance of them to the ground engineers. Also could the FE deduce anything form the EGT trend graph?

Regards
Nick

Thanks Dude for your clear answer.

Now am not sure if the following has been discussed earlier on this thread, so please accept my apologies if it has.

Dude in your answer you mentioned putting an overhauled engine onto the wing. Therefore how many engines were available to BA? I guess production of the engines stopped many years ago. Am I correct to assume that? and if so when was the last engine produced? How long normally would an engine be on Concorde before it would need servicing? Would it have been possible to keep on overhauling the engines? and if not would the lack of engines have resulted in the grounding of Concorde before grounding due to air frame considerations?
Regards
Nick

As a Chartered Architect I have always been interested in how people visualise things. Now what has this to do with Concorde? Well when ever I think of her I always have a mental picture of her about to land. Am looking down the runway and Concorde is pitched up at about 11 degrees with the nose and visor down and approx 50 feet above the runway. For me this view of Concorde is particulary powerful as she looks like a bird of prey about to swoop down and kill. The undercarriage reminds me of the birds talons about to make contact with the poor unsuspecting animal. I also feel that this image clearly shows her immense power and also that this is an airliner like no other. I know that many cartoonist have used this image of Concorde and I can understand why.

So my question to all you Concorde admirers is do you have a special Concorde image and if so would you be kind enough to share it with us?

Regards
Nick

Thanks Christian for posting such a bittersweet photo. I think that Concorde's lowered nose can have all sorts of visual meanings. To me in your photo it gives the impression of sadness almost as if she knows that it's the last landing! Maybe am sounding like Private Eyes Pseuds Corner.
I also thought it would be good to share such good memories on here; especially as some of her Prune detractors are having such fun over on their rumour thread.
Regards
Nick

CJ I love the cartoon. Dude I agree with you about the sight of Concorde taking of on 31L at JFK. Unfortunatly I have only seen it on the ITTV DVD but I would think that seeing it live must have been amazing.
Regards
Nick

Thanks Dude and Bellerphon for such graphic descriptions of JFK 31L take off. Nearest I came to experiencing anything like that was landing at Kai Tak in the 80's!
Out of interest Bellerphon was there a supersonic acceleration point for JFK departures or as you were soon over the ocean, was it a case of it happened when it happened?
Regards
Nick
P.S Thanks Christiaan for your Concorde book thread. I am hoping that Santa brings me the Haynes manual!

I wish Christiaan. No it was always "blunties" for me into Kai Tak. Still exciting though!
Well I never knew that about Concorde and Cardiff airport. Would love to know more as Cardiff is my local field. In fact my first flight was from there in 1967 in a Cambrian Viscount to Genoa. Another great British plane.
Regards
Nick

Great thread and I am still enjoying reading it over a year later. I was again watching ITVV Concorde DVD the other night and noticed the Heading/Track button on the A/P. I wondered how you could chose to fly in Track instead of Heading i.e. did you say have to push the button quickly twice to get the track mode?

I was referring to the button in the top picture. On the DVD you can see the co-pilot moving the lower button but the camera view is from the side and below so it's not possible to see the button label. Thank your Bellerphon for your clear explanation and for going to the trouble of finding the photos.