Posts by user "norodnik" [Posts: 5 Total up-votes: 0 Page: 1 of 1]¶

Fascinating thread!

I think (along with the other PAX that day) that I can claim to have been faster on Concorde than anyone else.

Despite many trips, I only flew on BOAB once (sad I know) and there was obviously a malfunction of some sort as the speed (on the Marilake display), instead of stopping in the normal range of 1260-1320 mph continued steadily climbing to 1990 mph.

This was the second "fault" as we had previously begun the flight from JFK with a low speed RTO due to one of the computers disagreeing with the other 2 on takeoff. Despite the slow speed we still had to wait 10 mins for the brakes to cool.

I have it all on Video! (The RTO and the Speed anomaly)

I did experience reverse thrust (in flight) once and, as I recall, we needed to get down somewhat quicker than normal.

From my usual seat (25A) the airframe vibrated a good deal and you could feel that the descent was more rapid than usual.

However, after getting down we had to go twice (or maybe 3 times) round in the hold before lining up.

I always looked forward to holding as it was a little bit like being in a race car with the aircraft being powered round the loops all the time much like you would throw a go-kart round the track with full throttle and opposite lock. Normally I was out of luck as we usually went straight in.

As per a previous post of mine, I've uploaded a takeoff and landing from JFK - LHR, including the very minor blip on roll from JFK and the 1990mph on the Marilake.


YouTube - uvs040403 002 3

I sort of have a galley story if you'll forgive the intrusion from a non crew member.

My routine was out on the 8pm LHR subby into JFK around 11pm and taxi down to stay in the Marriott World Trade Centre (I didn't take BA3 as you'd just end up sitting in the traffic on the Belt or Van W). Wake up early, take either the Path train to Exchange Plaza or (if weather nice) Ferry to Colgate Clock and in to the office for 8am. Whistle stop tour round all the staff I was supposed to see and out to the airport to catch the 1345 BA4. Land at 2225 and home by midnight.

Once Robert Ludlum was in the (JFK) Lounge with his new(ish) wife. I used to smoke so we were in the smoking section discussing various things. The Pilot (Terry someone I think), came to say hi and to see if My Ludlum wanted to be up front for take off. Needless to say he didn't although I would have liked to take his place.

Concorde had just gone non-smoking but this was obviously a hard habit for Mr Ludlum to break. There were only about 5 of us in the rear section (quite normal for BA4) and Mr Ludlum disappeared into the un-occupied rear galley and motioned to me to join him. A crew member noticed us and came down to see what we were after. Needless to say Mr Ludlum asked if there was anything he could use as an ashtray causing the now nervous stewardess to peer into the cabin, close the curtain and supervise us having a crafty smoke. I think as it was so soon after the ban we got away with it, that and the fact it was Mr Ludlum asking.

Other than that, I always enjoyed what I called the most expensive lucky dip in the sky, which was when we were handed our little thank you. If you were lucky, you got something useful or unique (pen, Concorde paper weight etc). If you were not you got a writing set (blue paper and envelopes) or decanter labels (yuk). I was very annoyed with the penny pinchers who removed these little gifts on Concorde\x92s return to service as it was another part of the experience not found anywhere else.

Did you need all 4 reheats to go from 0.95 - 1.7 ?

If you got to 1.3 and then one or more failed could you continue (albeit with slower acceleration ?)

I presume if you were unable to get the things lit at 0.95 you just turned round and went home again ? The procedure would take around 90 mins so would you need to burn off fuel or already be at acceptable landing weight by that time ?


Also, once when aboard at about 50K-55K feet the aircraft rolled I would estimate 3 degrees to the left and then came back level again almost immediately. I knew this was a glitch but no one else noticed. An announcement was made of a minor problem about 2 mins later and that was that ?

What might have cause such an event (I would guess an airflow issue with intake or engine ?)