Concorde's path to its service entry was not an easy one. In 1976, it reached its conclusion. In the February 2016 issue of Aeroplane, Bruce Hales-Dutton talked to the last surviving flight crew member from British Airways’ inaugural flight
Three, two, one… Brakes released. Full power. Clock started. Engines spooled up. Afterburners lit. Green lights showing everything OK. Go!
Seconds later the heading is south-eastwards to Worthing and the Channel, while climbing to 25,000ft. It all seems so normal, so effortless. In reality it’s been anything but. For today is unique, the culmination of a decade-and-a-half’s brilliant innovation and sheer hard work. British Airways’ Concorde G-BOAA, with its complement of VIP passengers, is bound for Bahrain to open a new chapter in the history of air transport. And, in an immaculately choreographed double launch, Air France Concorde F-BVFA has departed for Rio de Janeiro at precisely the same time.
