Book SummaryConcorde, by Mike Bannister

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Concorde

The author interlaces their personal aviation career narrative with the account, sharing insights from their educational history and experience as a Concorde pilot.

This section of the book focuses on Mike Bannister's journey from a young boy with a passion for aviation to becoming the Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways. He recounts tales from his early life, highlighting the rigorous training he undertook for a career above the clouds, along with the unique experiences he had while piloting the Concorde. Bannister conveys deep admiration for the legendary Concorde, his fellow team members, and the sense of honor he felt being part of the group that enhanced the aircraft's esteemed legacy.

The writer's deep-rooted fascination with flight began in their early years.

From a young age, Mike Bannister was captivated by the world of aviation. Growing up in Luton, he'd spend his summer holidays on the beach, staring at the silver specks against the blue sky and imagining where they were headed. Bannister recognized that air travel's rapidity and thrill far surpassed the long and monotonous bus journeys, which usually extended beyond five hours. His initial fascination cemented his determination to follow a path in the field of aeronautics, a vision he unwaveringly clung to.

From a young age, he was captivated by the Concorde's charm, which fueled his aspiration to become an aviator.

While Bannister was gearing up for his last exams at Hamble College of Air Training, he watched a news piece featuring the maiden voyage of Britain's pioneering supersonic aircraft, the Concorde. He remembers being captivated by the live broadcast on the BBC, especially by the palpable excitement in the narration provided by Raymond Baxter as Brian Trubshaw piloted the successful test flight. Up until that point, Bannister had envisioned a career flying the VC10, an aircraft he viewed as the most beautiful ever built. The sight of the Concorde, a symbol of pioneering advancements in aviation and international cooperation, sparked in him the dream to someday fly that iconic plane.

The author advanced in his career by transitioning from flying smaller planes to earning his commercial pilot's license.

Bannister's path to earning his pilot's wings was arduous and adhered to rigorous standards. Mike Bannister's journey into aviation began with his education at Luton Airport, which led to his acceptance at the prestigious Cranwell of the Royal Air Force, followed by his scholarly endeavors at the renowned Hamble College of Air Training. Bannister completed an intensive training program at Hamble, which is notorious for its high dropout rate. The condensed training program featured hands-on lessons and genuine flight experience, starting with the de Havilland Canada Chipmunk, then progressing to practice on the Piper Cherokee, and eventually moving on to the twin-engine Beech Baron. Bannister recounts his ascent through the aviation hierarchy, starting with aircraft powered by propellers and progressing to jet-powered machines, ultimately achieving his commercial pilot's license.

Before progressing to the more intricate responsibilities linked to piloting the Concorde, aviators refined their abilities on the VC10 under the tutelage of...

Concorde Summary The publication provides an in-depth analysis of the engineering progress behind the Concorde, along with its aerodynamic capabilities and extensive technical specifications.

The section delves into the marvels embedded within Concorde's engineering design, outlining the intricate challenges surmounted in achieving speeds beyond the sound barrier, and celebrating the engineering team's successes in ensuring the aircraft's unwavering safety and reliability. Bannister clarifies that Concorde's remarkable achievement of performance benchmarks was inherently linked to the sophisticated synergy of its aerodynamic structure, propulsion systems, and internal workings. He delves into the advancements in technology and enhancements in safety measures that were instrumental in enabling Concorde to recommence its flights after the incident.

Concorde boasted pioneering attributes, including its distinctive triangular wing configuration, advanced system for air intake, and power units engineered for velocities exceeding that of sound,

Bannister offers an in-depth exploration of Concorde's unique design features, including its iconic delta wings, sophisticated air intake systems, and the powerful Olympus 593 engines. He explains the different elements that allowed Concorde to sustain its high-speed supersonic flight.

The unique capabilities of Concorde...

Concorde Summary The story of Concorde's inception, its years of service, and eventual discontinuation was influenced by economic, governmental, and sector-specific dynamics.

The book's section explores the complex interplay of commercial, political, and industrial forces that shaped the trajectory of the supersonic aircraft. Bannister delves into the complex political maneuvers and financial investments essential for the inception of the aircraft, its fiscal challenges, and the ultimate decision to cease its operation. He underscores the disparity between the aircraft's esteemed reputation and the efforts to broaden its appeal to a varied clientele, in addition to the ways in which changes in the economic and political environment played a role in its eventual decline.

Concorde served as a symbol of national pride, showcasing the joint endeavor of the UK and France.

Bannister elucidates that Concorde's inception was driven by a combination of aspirations for technological advancement, political factors, and a quest for national pride. He argues that the aircraft was an outstanding representation of the combined expertise of the UK and France's aerospace sectors, symbolizing a rare instance of cross-border collaboration during a period when such alliances were not typical. The foundational pact for the development of the Concorde necessitated an...

Concorde Summary The publication provides a comprehensive examination of the inquiry into the Concorde tragedy, the steps taken to return the aircraft to service, and the final chapter of its service history.

This section explores the disastrous event that occurred with the Concorde in Gonesse and the significant repercussions that ensued. Mike Bannister delves into the deep-seated emotional effects stemming from the catastrophe, his role in developing a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved, and the intricate and disputed investigation that followed. He explores the extensive work that was necessary for Concorde's resurgence, outlining the challenges the airline faced in resuming its operations, and recounts the concluding phase of its story, marked by significant accomplishments and the unavoidable progression towards its retirement.

The tragic incident with the Concorde in Gonesse led to loss of lives and demanded immediate response.

As Bannister was traveling to a rendezvous with the QE2, he was informed of the mishap. He recounts his arduous journey to uncover the reality while grappling with the turmoil that the catastrophe provoked. He narrates the significant conversations and disconcerting imagery encountered within the hub of emergency operations, as well as the substantial task of piecing together the sequence of events that occurred.

The author...