Concorde's Grand Finale | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-02.03.25

Airborne-NextGen-02.04.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.05.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-02.06.25

Airborne-Unlimited-02.07.25

Sat, Oct 25, 2003

Concorde's Grand Finale

A Stunning End To A Modern Legend

The aviation world bid a longing goodbye Friday to a noisy, bothersome, beautiful and remarkable legend. With a grand finale befitting its reputation, the Concorde landed forever at Heathrow Airport in London.

In fact, three of them landed in a spectacularly coordinated finale to the dream which began on a drawing board in 1962.

We've worked this story over pretty good at Aero-News (ANN: "Last Concordes To Retire Friday" -- 20 October 2003). We've said our goodbyes and shed our tears. Here's what the rest of the world had to say:

Air traffic controller Ivor Sims, 51, sending the last Concorde to its gate: "We have all enjoyed you over the years. Best wishes from us all." 

Vicky Giannakas of Little Neck (NJ) and a BA customer service rep for a decade: "That's it -- that's the end. It's sad. I shed a tear. I guess it's off to a museum now."

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens): "While there may be some who will shed a tear over the final flight of the Concorde, there will be no crying in Queens today. This is one flight cancellation that was long overdue."

Julia Zuk, 50, who lives near Heathrow airport: "It's like wearing stilettos. They hurt your feet, but you know they look a lot sexier than ordinary shoes."

The Advertiser, Australia: "Russia had the Sputnik and the first manned space flight. The US hit back with Neil Armstrong's lunar landing. But in an era of superpower one-upmanship, neither could boast launching the world's first supersonic jet liner."

London Sunday Times columnist Jeremy Clarkson, deplaning the last Concorde: "That was one small step for man. But one giant leap backwards for mankind."

Tony Benn, former British Labor Party Minister and Concorde backer: "When people look up at it they're so proud, as much as they're proud of our monarchy, but on the whole it is cheaper than the Royal Family."

Capt. Michael Bannister, pilot of the last commercial flight of the BA Concorde: "Concorde was born from dreams, built with vision, and operated with pride."

The Concorde has gone west. Goodbye old friend. Those who flew you, loved you. Those who never flew you admired you from afar.

FMI: www.british-airways.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (02.06.25): Decision Altitude (DA)

Decision Altitude (DA) A specified altitude (mean sea level (MSL)) on an instrument approach procedure (ILS, GLS, vertically guided RNAV) at which the pilot must decide whether to >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.06.25)

Aero Linx: Air Safety Group The Air Safety Group is a voluntary group founded in England in 1964. It is composed of aviation professionals who hold the view that there have been, a>[...]

Airborne-NextGen 02.04.25: Dream Chaser, Drone Pilot Busted, Asteroid Samples

Also: New Acting FAA Boss, Matternet M2 Drone Ops, Serbian Midnights, NOTAM Foulup Sierra Space announced that its Dream Chaser spaceplane successfully completed the Joint Test 10B>[...]

Airborne 02.05.25: No Outs 4 ATC, Sporty's Acquires, 'Black' Boxes

Also: NOTAM System Restored, Textron Mil Trainers, Axiom Space, Police Rescues Cirrus Pax The Trump administration’s attempt at downsizing the federal workforce has run into >[...]

Airborne 02.03.25: Drone Pilot Bust, New Acting FAA Boss, PNE Lear Accident

Also: 2 Blimps For OSH, USCG-Airbus Deal, Japan Buys T-6s, Starliner Boss Replaced A 56-year-old California man recently pled guilty after he flew his drone into a Super Scooper fi>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC