Classic Jetliners: The Aerospatiale – BAC Concorde

The era when the Aerospatiale – BAC Concorde first graced the skies was truly a remarkable period in aviation history. This supersonic airliner, the lone one of its kind, marked a pinnacle in engineering advancements. It captivated the dreams of countless aviation enthusiasts and ‘avgeeks’, transforming a typical flight into an extraordinary, wishful fantasy that now, sadly, remains only as an elusive dream. What really sets the Concorde apart is its striking design – its elongated, streamlined body paired with a delta wing, a sight that for me, outshines even the beauty of the legendary 747. Indeed, this breathtaking airliner, in my eyes, holds the title as the most elegantly designed aircraft ever made.

Supersonic Transport

The BAC Concorde was a supersonic passenger airliner or supersonic transport (SST) which was operated until 2003. It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation. First flown in 1969, Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued commercial flights for 27 years.

Famed for its stunning technological advancements and distinctive design – including its slender, streamlined fuselage and delta wing – the Concorde was capable of flying at over twice the speed of sound, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.04. This allowed the aircraft to reduce the flight time between London and New York to about 3.5 hours, effectively halving the travel time of subsonic commercial aircraft.

Tracing the Genesis of the Concorde

The Concorde, a supreme embodiment of Anglo-French cooperation, was not a project that sprouted overnight. Its roots can be traced back to the 1950s when the idea of a supersonic transport (SST) was first conceptualized. Aeronautical engineer Morien Morgan, at the behest of Sir Arnold Hall, convened a committee to explore the potential of SST. The initial findings, however, were less than encouraging. It appeared that the concept was daunting and fraught with technical hurdles.

An unforeseen breakthrough came when Royal Aircraft Establishment scientists unveiled the slender-delta wing concept, which reshaped the entire supersonic design landscape. This led to the formation of the Supersonic Transport Advisory Committee (STAC), tasked to come up with a feasible SST design and find industry collaborators for the venture.

The Concorde Takes Shape

STAC’s search for international partners led to collaborative talks with aerospace giants, including Lockheed and Boeing in the USA, and Sud Aviation in France. Interestingly, Sud Aviation had designed an aircraft closely mirroring STAC’s initial plans, fostering an environment of mutual understanding and shared goals.

Subsequently, the developmental path was secured through an international treaty between France and the UK. The chosen design was heavily influenced by the Bristol Siddeley Olympus engines, allowing for two or four engines to power either design. Initially, there was a minor tussle over the spelling of the aircraft’s name, but it was eventually settled as ‘Concorde’, symbolizing excellence, England, Europe, and the historic Entente Cordiale.

First Flight

Concorde 001, built by Aerospatiale in Toulouse, and Concorde 002, built by BAC in Filton, marked the start of this astonishing journey. Despite technical challenges and differences in measurement systems, both prototypes were successfully created. Concorde 001 soared through the sky for the first time on March 2, 1969, going supersonic later that year. The UK-built Concorde 002 took off from BAC Filton just a month later.

Over a span of a decade, a total of 20 Concordes were built, six of which were prototypes and development aircraft. Scheduled flights commenced on January 21, 1976, marking the beginning of a new era in commercial aviation.

Performance and Design

The Concorde, an ogival delta-winged aircraft, stands in a class of its own, exhibiting innovative engineering and remarkable speed. This aviation marvel utilizes four Olympus engines, similar to those used in the Avro Vulcan strategic bomber of the Royal Air Force. The Concorde’s design is unique among commercial aircraft, utilizing a tailless design. This innovative airliner became the first to implement a fly-by-wire flight-control system, revolutionizing aviation controls with its hybrid circuits.

Elevating Performance and Efficiency

Built for speed, the Concorde uses a double delta-shaped wing and an intelligent variable engine air intake ramp system guided by digital computers. It has the rare ability to supercruise and boasts thrust-by-wire engines, which became the forerunners of modern FADEC-controlled engines. Additionally, it features a droop nose, enhancing landing visibility.

Optimized for weight reduction and enhanced performance, the Concorde achieves an impressive cruising speed of Mach 2.02. It predominantly utilizes a high-temperature aluminum alloy, similar to that in aero-engine pistons, providing the lightweight strength needed for its speed. Furthermore, the aircraft employs a full-regime autopilot and autothrottle, enabling hands-off control from takeoff to landing.

Concorde’s pitch is trimmed by shifting fuel for optimum center-of-gravity control. Also, the airliner uses sculpture milling, a technique that reduces part count, saving weight, and adding strength. The absence of an auxiliary power unit highlights the focus on weight reduction since the aircraft primarily operated from large airports where ground air start carts are available.

The Unparalleled Engine of the Concorde

The Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593, an Anglo-French turbojet with afterburners, powers the Concorde. The engine traces its origins back to the joint efforts of Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited and Snecma, with the former being acquired by Rolls-Royce during the engine’s development. This unique engine stood out in aviation until regular commercial flights by Concorde ended in 2003. The engine, designed for supersonic cruising flight, exhibited an exceptional overall thermal efficiency of about 43%, a record figure at the time.

Innovative Features for Enhanced Flight Experience

The Concorde’s iconic drooping nose played a pivotal role in the aircraft’s streamlined design. This clever innovation allowed for better visibility during taxi, takeoff, and landing operations. The unique delta-wing design of the Concorde necessitated strong and tall undercarriage, as the aircraft adopted a high angle of attack at low speeds. This unusual requirement resulted in a major redesign during development.

Speed and Flight Characteristics

The Concorde left its subsonic peers in the dust, halving the standard eight-hour flight time from Paris to New York to just under 3.5 hours. Cruising at an altitude of 18,300 meters and an average speed of Mach 2.02, the Concorde broke conventional boundaries. The unique wing shape of the Concorde allowed for the formation of large low-pressure vortices over the entire upper wing surface, ensuring lift even at high angles of attack.

The Unbeatable Range

The Concorde’s ability to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean placed it in a unique class, a feat achieved by efficient engines, a slender fuselage, and a complex wing shape. To extend its impressive range, plans for a Concorde “B” model with a larger fuel capacity and leading-edge slats were considered but ultimately canceled.

Addressing Structural Challenges

High-speed flights placed immense forces on the Concorde, leading to twisting and distortion of its structure. Ingenious solutions like active ratio changes between inboard and outboard elevons, varying at different speeds, resolved these issues. Further, the engineers designed a fuel distribution system that shifted during acceleration and deceleration to move the center of gravity, effectively providing auxiliary trim control.

Specification	Value
Crew	3 (2 pilots and 1 flight engineer)
Capacity	92–120 passengers (128 in high-density layout)
Length	202 ft 4 in (61.66 m)
Wingspan	84 ft 0 in (25.6 m)
Height	40 ft 0 in (12.2 m)
Wing area	3,856.2 sq ft (358.25 m2)
Empty weight	173,504 lb (78,700 kg)
Gross weight	245,000 lb (111,130 kg)
Max takeoff weight	408,010 lb (185,070 kg)
Fuel capacity	210,940 lb (95,680 kg)
Fuselage internal length	129 ft 0 in (39.32 m)
Fuselage width	maximum of 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) external, 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m) internal
Fuselage height	maximum of 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m) external, 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) internal
Maximum taxiing weight	412,000 lb (187,000 kg)
Powerplant	4 × Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 Mk 610 turbojets with reheat, 31,000 lbf (140 kN) thrust each dry, 38,050 lbf (169.3 kN) with afterburner
Maximum speed	1,354 mph (2,179 km/h, 1,177 kn), Mach 2.04 (temperature limited)
Cruise speed	1,341 mph (2,158 km/h, 1,165 kn)
Range	4,488.0 mi (7,222.8 km, 3,900.0 nmi)
Service ceiling	60,000 ft (18,300 m)
Rate of climb	3,300–4,900 ft/min (17–25 m/s) at sea level
Lift-to-drag	Low speed– 3.94; Approach– 4.35; 250 kn, 10,000 ft– 9.27; Mach 0.94– 11.47, Mach 2.04– 7.14
Fuel consumption	47 lb/mi (13.2 kg/km)
Thrust/weight	0.373
Maximum nose tip temperature	127 °C (260 °F; 400 K)
Runway requirement (with maximum load)	3,600 m (11,800 ft)

The Concorde Defies the Odds

The launch was marred by an American ban on Concorde landings due to concerns about sonic booms. However, persistence paid off when limited permission was granted for Concorde services to Washington in May 1976. This marked the start of regular transatlantic flights that saw Concorde traverse these routes in less than half the time of other airliners.

Despite initial economic losses and hurdles, the Concorde became a profitable venture over time, attracting a wealthy clientele drawn to its speed, the fastest in commercial aviation for most of its career. Seventeen different airlines placed orders for the Concorde, but only two – British Airways, and Air France, flew it commercially.

An Abrupt End to a Supersonic Era

The Concorde was retired in 2003, following a tragic crash in Paris and the global impact of the 9/11 attacks on the commercial aviation industry. Maintenance support was discontinued by Airbus, and a financial case for extensive aircraft overhauls proved untenable.

Despite its retirement, the Concorde remains a symbol of aeronautical brilliance and a reflection of what is achievable when innovation, cooperation, and tenacity come together. The legacy of the Concorde lives on in the aircraft displayed worldwide, allowing future generations to appreciate its remarkable contributions to aviation history.