Posts by user "stilton" [Posts: 60 Total up-votes: 1 Page: 1 of 3]ΒΆ

stilton
August 13, 2010, 03:32:00 GMT
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Post: 5866333
Concorde question

Considering the era in which the Concorde was produced I am curious as to why there was no APU fitted. It would seem to have been quite an inconvenience at times.


Was there ever any consideration given to fitting one and was the decision against the installation solely a weight issue ?


Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): APU (Auxiliary Power Unit)

stilton
August 13, 2010, 22:36:00 GMT
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Post: 5868330
Thanks M2Dude for your interesting and informative reply.

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stilton
August 20, 2010, 00:31:00 GMT
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Post: 5881023
Absolutely fascinating, the fuel burns are way beyond what I expected.




One of my favourite sentences is that TOC=TOD !



It all makes sense though.




Not to beat a dead horse, but, on the choice of location for APU, the 727 had a problem with this but for different reasons. Because of the location of the engines that were all mounted at the rear, the Aircraft was quite tail heavy and adding more weight with an APU in the tail section was not desirable.



The solution found that I have not seen in any other Aircraft was to mount it in the wheel well transversely across the keel beam with the exhaust out and over the right wing. Quite unusual but it worked fine with the restriction that it could only be operated on the ground.



Its all academic now but, just out of curiosity could this have worked on the Concorde ?

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): APU (Auxiliary Power Unit)

stilton
August 21, 2010, 04:51:00 GMT
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Post: 5883379
With reference to the noise level in the Cockpit with the nose and visor up.


How do you think this compared with say a 747 or 777 at Mach 2 and normal cruise climb levels (500-600) ?


Thanks for the truly fascinating information.



Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Visor

stilton
August 22, 2010, 05:32:00 GMT
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Post: 5885013
Biggles78.


No apology needed, I can't think of anything I have read on this forum that can compare to the delight of this thread.


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stilton
August 22, 2010, 21:15:00 GMT
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Post: 5886262
Christiaan J


What happened to the Concorde at Dakar ?

Last edited by stilton; 23rd August 2010 at 03:58 .

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Dakar

stilton
August 25, 2010, 05:13:00 GMT
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Post: 5890744
Bellerophon, if I may pick your brain a little further.


In your superb photograph you posted earlier in the Mach 2 Cruise level at FL600 I notice that both RMI'S shown seem to be showing a heading of 230 while the heading on the HSI shows 220 with the annunciation TRUE above the HSI.



Were you operating on TRUE headings in this case as it seems and what was the reason for this ?



I am thinking that the RMI's are showing magnetic headings ?

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stilton
August 26, 2010, 01:36:00 GMT
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Post: 5892857
Thanks for the reply in regard to operating in TRUE Bellerephon.




At my Airline I have only seen this procedure used before on Polar Routes. I had theorized the reason this was done on the Concorde was because you were crossing Isogonic Lines so rapidly this would minimise heading changes.



So much for my theory !




On another subject entirely was smoking permitted in the Cockpit ?

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stilton
August 27, 2010, 04:26:00 GMT
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Post: 5895282
During the early years of Concorde testing and Airline service I had read it was used as a 'target' for practice interceptions by the RAF.



Is there any truth to this and does anyone know the profiles that were flown ?

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stilton
September 01, 2010, 21:43:00 GMT
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Post: 5907435
Yes, in my humble opinion I vote this as my favourite thread of the year, it has been absolutely fascinating, educational and most enjoyable.


The technical insights revealed by the real operators have only added to the appeal of this Aircraft for me.


Bellerophon I found the photograph taken in the Cruise at FL600 and Mach 2 to be quite
stunning, what an amazing set of numbers to have in front of you as an Airline Pilot !




Thanks M2dude, ChristiaanJ, Bellerophon for your insiders view and all other contributors.

Subjects: None

stilton
September 07, 2010, 06:34:00 GMT
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Post: 5918858
M2Dude,


You mention a minor instrumentation difference between the AF and BA Concordes.


Were there any other technical differences between the two Airlines respective Concorde Fleets that come to mind ?

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Air France  British Airways

stilton
September 08, 2010, 04:50:00 GMT
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Post: 5920992
Thanks again M2Dude, since we're into details, prior to the accident did BA and AF use different tyres ?


For some reason I thought that BA used Dunlop and AF Michelin.


I think they both changed to the new design Michelin after the accident, can you offer any more info on this tyre ?


I believe it's design was part of the changes for recertification ?


Any other info on the changes incorporated afther the accident would be welcome.

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Air France  Air France 4590  British Airways  Tyres

stilton
September 09, 2010, 04:27:00 GMT
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Post: 5923416
Thank you Exwok and M2Dude for your continuing information.


The Concorde tyres were obviously under enormous stress. The only other Aircraft that I can think off whose Tyres have such a hard life (on landing only of course!) are those installed on the Space Shuttle.


I would imagine, however these are replaced after each flight. How long would the Concorde Tyres last in normal service ?

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Tyres

stilton
September 11, 2010, 20:39:00 GMT
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Post: 5929158
Christiaan,


Since you were discussing the scenario of a nosewheel not lowering and that the CG was over the main wheels may I suggest a rather (amusing at least)
possibility ?!!



With a nose gear jammed up but all other gear lowered normally could the Flight Engineer pump fuel rearward adjusting the CG aft sufficiently to allow the Concorde to settle back on her 'Tailwheel'



I realise there would be some damage, especially in light of what has been said about the occasional tailwheel contacts but I imagine it would be less than lowering the unprotected forward fuselage onto the runway.





Of course some pax might have to move to the back of the cabin too !



If the CG was adjusted this far aft would there be controllability issues ?




There could finally be a use for the 'full down position of the visor' landing in this attitude !

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): C of G  Landing Gear  Tailwheel  Visor

stilton
September 12, 2010, 06:41:00 GMT
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Post: 5929597
ChristiaanJ


In my semi serious 'taildragger' post the reason I mentioned using the 'full down' position of the visor with an attempt to land in that configuration is this.


With an even higher than usual touch down / rollout attitude I theorized that visibility over the nose would be compromised without the visor lowered even further than normal !

Subjects (links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Visor

stilton
September 13, 2010, 01:51:00 GMT
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Post: 5931172
Thanks again ChristiaanJ, M2 Dude and Britt 312 for your educational, fascinating insights and answers to my questions.

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stilton
September 14, 2010, 07:40:00 GMT
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Post: 5933514
Thank you M2Dude.



All I did was ask a simple question, but I'm glad I did



In return you and your colleagues have provided us with an Aviation literary delight.



It has been like reading a great book

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stilton
September 20, 2010, 23:13:00 GMT
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Post: 5946618
The MD80 has similar looking strakes on the forward fuselage for similar reasons.


At least that was what we were told.


It Certainly was not an Aircraft you would want to stall !

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stilton
October 20, 2010, 07:57:00 GMT
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Post: 6006159
In a previous post it was mentioned there are three lights above each bank of engine instruments, one of these being green for 'go'



What engine parameters were monitored to provide this indication and how was this done ?

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stilton
October 20, 2010, 21:30:00 GMT
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Post: 6007791
Thanks FS and Brit for your detailed replys.


I can see the value of the green lights, one might say the system was an early form of EICAS engine monitoring ? !

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