Flight engineer revealed what it was actually like to operate Concorde
- A former Concorde flight engineer reveals what it was like onboard
- As ‘the most complex passenger aircraft ever made,’ it was a serious role
- He describes being unable to eat or drink
Published on Sep 06, 2024 at 7:24 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Sep 08, 2024 at 5:37 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
A former Concorde flight engineer has revealed what it was like to operate the supersonic jet.
As ‘the most complex passenger aircraft ever made’, Concorde relied on its flight engineers to help fly the aircraft.
Flight engineer Warren Hazelby boarded his first supersonic flight travelling from London to New York in 2002.
His unique and rare insight will give you chills.
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Operating Concorde
He told CNN that despite the interior being smaller than the Boeing 707s and 747s he’d previously flown on, the controls were more complex.
His vantage point was from a seat directly behind the pilots.
He recalls being confronted with a huge control center of knobs and dials.
![Flight engineer reveals unique POV of operating Concorde](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/20240709-071100-1024x770.webp)
This complicated flight deck was in charge of Concorde’s aircraft systems, engines, fuel, and hydraulics.
Despite two decades as a flight engineer on other aircraft, it required six months of training on a Concorde simulator.
Concorde flew faster than any other commercial passenger plane in history to date.
“The first time you go through the sound barrier, that’s quite an experience.” Hazelby told CNN Travel.
Hazelby was tasked with operating the controls and making adjustments to ensure the aircraft safely punched through the sound barrier when it surpassed speeds of Mach 2.
![concorde cockpit pilot overture supersonic aircraft boom supersonic](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/Concorde-4-1024x768.webp)
He described feeling ‘very nervous’, barely having time for a cup of coffee, and being ‘exhausted’ by the end of a flight.
The role of a flight engineer
Described by former Concorde pilot, John Tye, who was among a group of former Concorde pilots who as a ‘vital’ member of the flight deck team, it was their job to address any issues during a flight.
“On Concorde – because all the time, we were changing speed, changing altitude – there was never a phase where there was very little to do,” he shared.
![Rare image shows Concorde cockpit controls at Mach 2](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/Canva-6-1024x640.jpg)
“There was always something for the flight engineer to do.
“Everything needed to be turned off and on, to be monitored.
“You had to watch the temperature gauges, you had to make sure there were no fuel leaks, you had to make sure everything was working correctly.”
He continues: “You had to either switch that component off, or possibly switch the standby system on. Or if it was a leak – obviously a fuel leak or hydraulically – you had to diagnose that.”
![supersonic aircraft painted white](https://supercarblondie.com/wp-content/uploads/British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.webp)
What’s standing in the way of supersonic aircraft today?
After Concorde took its final flight in 2003, there has been no commercial supersonic flight since.
Denver-based Boom Supersonic is currently working on a plane that will fly at Mach 1.7 – around one-sixth slower than Concorde but still twice the speed of conventional planes.
NASA’s supersonic X-59 is on the brink of making history with its revolutionary first flight – and it’s hoped that, if successful, it could open the door for commercial supersonic planes in the future.
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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.