Supersonic Transport and Concorde
Abstract
Concorde was big technological achievement, aircraft made beyond its time, triumph of engineering craft. Success desired by all nations achieved thru European collaboration of Britain and France. However, economical failure not because of its huge development difficulties and costs as because of the staggering high cost of fuel, environmental opposition and inability to obtain permission to fly supersonically over land.
Concluding that its withdrawal was a big step backward in an age of progress and speed.
Introduction History of aviation shows constant increase in speed. First turbo jets aircraft have cut journey times; New York was only twelve hours flying time away from London instead of the eighteen hours it took piston engine aircraft. In the 1960s, everyone in airline business assumed that supersonic commercial jets would be natural step forward.
At the time, it was not foolish to believe such a forecast was realistic.
In Britain lead in commercial jets vanished together with grounding of Comet.
As the United States took a front in its development of Boeing 707 many in the European community felt, they have to go beyond conventional technology to surpass Americans. This essay will focus on development of Concorde and its struggle to enter commercial service, influenced by politicians and environmentalists.
Background to SST aircraft
The race between aircraft manufactures began during early 1950 's a time of technological growth were speed was considered high priority and was evidence of stronger economy. The belief was that Supersonic aircraft would replace all other aircraft what would eventually become known as a supersonic transport (SST).
In aviation, high-speed and altitude where the most desired progress where faster and higher was better. Research and design studies into supersonic flight at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), and comparable projects in France undertook fundamental examination since mid
Concorde was big technological achievement, aircraft made beyond its time, triumph of engineering craft. Success desired by all nations achieved thru European collaboration of Britain and France. However, economical failure not because of its huge development difficulties and costs as because of the staggering high cost of fuel, environmental opposition and inability to obtain permission to fly supersonically over land.
Concluding that its withdrawal was a big step backward in an age of progress and speed.
Introduction History of aviation shows constant increase in speed. First turbo jets aircraft have cut journey times; New York was only twelve hours flying time away from London instead of the eighteen hours it took piston engine aircraft. In the 1960s, everyone in airline business assumed that supersonic commercial jets would be natural step forward.
At the time, it was not foolish to believe such a forecast was realistic.
In Britain lead in commercial jets vanished together with grounding of Comet.
As the United States took a front in its development of Boeing 707 many in the European community felt, they have to go beyond conventional technology to surpass Americans. This essay will focus on development of Concorde and its struggle to enter commercial service, influenced by politicians and environmentalists.
Background to SST aircraft
The race between aircraft manufactures began during early 1950 's a time of technological growth were speed was considered high priority and was evidence of stronger economy. The belief was that Supersonic aircraft would replace all other aircraft what would eventually become known as a supersonic transport (SST).
In aviation, high-speed and altitude where the most desired progress where faster and higher was better. Research and design studies into supersonic flight at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), and comparable projects in France undertook fundamental examination since mid
References: www.epa.gov/region5/defs/html/caa.htm www.news.bbc.co.uk "Transcripts: Tony Benn - The Labour Minister January, 2002 www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s832052.htm "Concorde foes cheer end to the sonic boom" 2003 Giles Hewitt - Agençe France-Presse. www.foe.co.uk "Friends of earth welcomes withdrawal of Concorde" 2003 "The Concorde SST and change in the British polity" by J,Grieco Prinston University Press 1979 "From Bouncing Bombs to Concorde" R, Gardner Sutton Publishing 2006 Bibliography "Concorde: The Inside Story", B, Trubshaw Sutton Publishing Ltd. 2001 www.concordesst.com