Please help my boys see Concorde
Aug 13, 2004, 8:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: (AA EXP)
Posts: 609
Please help my boys see Concorde
My five year old has taken up an interest in everything -est (biggest, fastest, strongest, etc.). Of course, I gave him a model airplane of the Concorde and told him all of the "-est"s associated with Concorde and BA service. He already knows BA has the planes with an upstairs (the only other two airlines he has travelled with, AA and the bane of all airlines, Alitalia, do not) and is facinated with the delta wing plane with the dropped nose.
I know there is (was?) a Concorde parked at LHR. My family of 5 are travelling GVA-LHR-MIA on 20AUG, so we will get two chances (one on the inbound flight from GVA, one on the outbound to MIA) to see it. Could someone please suggest which side of the plane would produce the best odds of seeing Concorde from each flight?
I suppose I should also keep an eye on the strike discussions, as we are scheduled to return 28AUG. We will certainly make sure we get by with hand luggage only!
Thanks for all suggestions...
I know there is (was?) a Concorde parked at LHR. My family of 5 are travelling GVA-LHR-MIA on 20AUG, so we will get two chances (one on the inbound flight from GVA, one on the outbound to MIA) to see it. Could someone please suggest which side of the plane would produce the best odds of seeing Concorde from each flight?
I suppose I should also keep an eye on the strike discussions, as we are scheduled to return 28AUG. We will certainly make sure we get by with hand luggage only!
Thanks for all suggestions...
Aug 13, 2004, 9:22 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EDI
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Posts: 1,919
Happy Concorde Hunting!
Concorde G-BOAB is parked right next to the runway but it all depends on which runway is used and the direction of landing so not really easy to say which side is best to sit on!
Why not jump on a flight to Manchester airport or Edinburgh and visit the other 2 concordes in the UK currently on display :-)
If you visit Edinburgh I will happily run you out to the Edinburgh Concorde...
http://www.nms.ac.uk/concorde/asp/main.asp?day=7
The wings gad been cut off but I think they are in th emiddle of re-attaching them!
Rich
Concorde G-BOAB is parked right next to the runway but it all depends on which runway is used and the direction of landing so not really easy to say which side is best to sit on!
Why not jump on a flight to Manchester airport or Edinburgh and visit the other 2 concordes in the UK currently on display :-)
If you visit Edinburgh I will happily run you out to the Edinburgh Concorde...
http://www.nms.ac.uk/concorde/asp/main.asp?day=7
The wings gad been cut off but I think they are in th emiddle of re-attaching them!
Rich
Originally Posted by MIAFlyer
My five year old has taken up an interest in everything -est (biggest, fastest, strongest, etc.). Of course, I gave him a model airplane of the Concorde and told him all of the "-est"s associated with Concorde and BA service. He already knows BA has the planes with an upstairs (the only other two airlines he has travelled with, AA and the bane of all airlines, Alitalia, do not) and is facinated with the delta wing plane with the dropped nose.
I know there is (was?) a Concorde parked at LHR. My family of 5 are travelling GVA-LHR-MIA on 20AUG, so we will get two chances (one on the inbound flight from GVA, one on the outbound to MIA) to see it. Could someone please suggest which side of the plane would produce the best odds of seeing Concorde from each flight?
I suppose I should also keep an eye on the strike discussions, as we are scheduled to return 28AUG. We will certainly make sure we get by with hand luggage only!
Thanks for all suggestions...
I know there is (was?) a Concorde parked at LHR. My family of 5 are travelling GVA-LHR-MIA on 20AUG, so we will get two chances (one on the inbound flight from GVA, one on the outbound to MIA) to see it. Could someone please suggest which side of the plane would produce the best odds of seeing Concorde from each flight?
I suppose I should also keep an eye on the strike discussions, as we are scheduled to return 28AUG. We will certainly make sure we get by with hand luggage only!
Thanks for all suggestions...
Last edited by Aerotec; Aug 13, 2004 at 9:37 am
Aug 13, 2004, 11:00 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,353
To add a little more on what Aerotec said, G-BOAB is parked inbetween 27R and 27L at Heathrow, but more towards the 27R side.
If the 09 runwayss are in use you won't get much of a chance to see it but if you give me your flight date/times arriving/departing Heathrow I can tell you what 27 will be in use (i.e. L/R) and therefore what side of the plane to sit on.
If the 09 runwayss are in use you won't get much of a chance to see it but if you give me your flight date/times arriving/departing Heathrow I can tell you what 27 will be in use (i.e. L/R) and therefore what side of the plane to sit on.
Aug 13, 2004, 11:44 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: (AA EXP)
Posts: 609
WOW Rich,
What a great offer! I know from GVA there is nonstop service to Manchester, though I didn't know there was a Concorde there. I sometimes have to travel to Glasgow, you can bet the next time, I will schedule through EDI!
Since my family will have 5 seats on my GVA-LHR flight, I suppose I could hedge my bets, and simply take a window seat on each side, but I really want the 5 year old to be in the "right place at the right time". Do you think the Pilot or First Officer would understand what I am asking for, or would I just appear silly?
Thanks again for your thoughts!
What a great offer! I know from GVA there is nonstop service to Manchester, though I didn't know there was a Concorde there. I sometimes have to travel to Glasgow, you can bet the next time, I will schedule through EDI!
Since my family will have 5 seats on my GVA-LHR flight, I suppose I could hedge my bets, and simply take a window seat on each side, but I really want the 5 year old to be in the "right place at the right time". Do you think the Pilot or First Officer would understand what I am asking for, or would I just appear silly?
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Aug 13, 2004, 3:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: USA, NJ
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I hadn't seen that website before Aerotec - thanks.
They are appealing for Souvenirs to add to the exhibition and I just emailed them to offer them a couple of "freebies" that I kept from my flights - I encourage everyone else to contribute.
They are appealing for Souvenirs to add to the exhibition and I just emailed them to offer them a couple of "freebies" that I kept from my flights - I encourage everyone else to contribute.
Aug 13, 2004, 5:22 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Visible from Terminal 1
The BA flight to MIA goes from Terminal 4, where one cannot (any longer) see the Concorde. But if you are ever in Terminal 1, you get a fairly good view of the parked Concorde, all alone by the runways. Go to the area at the end of one of the piers, near gate 56 and 43 I believe. Quite a long walk though.
Aug 13, 2004, 9:41 pm
#9
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Concorde G-BOAC is about 30 meters from the Public Viewing area at Manchester.
http://www.classic-aircraft.oldclass...manchester.htm
http://www.classic-aircraft.oldclass...manchester.htm
Aug 14, 2004, 1:14 am
#10
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It may be worth composing a pre-written note (+staple your business card to it) to the Captain which you could hand to the cabin crew when you board in GVA. Obviously don't look threatening when you do!
It may just be enough for the Captain to do a "For those of you on the right hand side of the aircraft......" type annoucement.
It may just be enough for the Captain to do a "For those of you on the right hand side of the aircraft......" type annoucement.
Aug 14, 2004, 11:26 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,282
Originally Posted by BahrainLad
It may be worth composing a pre-written note (+staple your business card to it) to the Captain which you could hand to the cabin crew when you board in GVA. Obviously don't look threatening when you do!
It may just be enough for the Captain to do a "For those of you on the right hand side of the aircraft......" type annoucement.
It may just be enough for the Captain to do a "For those of you on the right hand side of the aircraft......" type annoucement.
Aug 15, 2004, 8:56 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
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If time allows, you could also walk from Terminal 1 through the service tunnel to see the 'Concorde' at the entrance to the airport (but beware, it's not a short walk, and it's quite awkward! Best to tell a cop what you want to do and why, and ask the best route).
It's not a real aircraft, but it's pretty darn impressive and would give your son a lot of detail to add to his view of the real thing out on the runway!
It's not a real aircraft, but it's pretty darn impressive and would give your son a lot of detail to add to his view of the real thing out on the runway!
Aug 15, 2004, 10:09 am
#13
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Last edited by fbgdavidson; Aug 15, 2004 at 10:15 am
Aug 15, 2004, 10:11 am
#14
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Originally Posted by KentownFlorida
Concorde G-BOAC is about 30 meters from the Public Viewing area at Manchester.
http://www.classic-aircraft.oldclass...manchester.htm
http://www.classic-aircraft.oldclass...manchester.htm
If you are flying into MAN then you should get an non-'A' window seat to give you most chance of seeing it close-up when you leave the runway. Sorry I'm not well up on the runway numbers !.
Last edited by MAN Flyer; Aug 15, 2004 at 12:38 pm Reason: Duff info !
Aug 15, 2004, 11:27 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
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MIAflyer
I asume you're not that familiar with Heathrow, so a bit of explanation. Heathrow runway plan is similar to Miami, with two parallel east-west runways. The main terminals are between the two. There used to be a diagonal runway like Miami as well, but running from the top right corner to the middle of the bottom runway. This is now closed and used as a taxiway, and Concorde is tied down on it, towards the top corner. I'll call the runways "top" and "bottom", although if you know aviation 27L and 27R may be more meaningful.
70 percent of the time aircraft land towards the west, and at the day/time of your flights you will be landing on the bottom runway and taking off on the top one (the usage is rotated to a regular schedule if landing westerly). If the wind is the other way round you will be landing easterly, but this way round always landing on the top runway and always departing on the bottom one.
If you want to know the runway direction on the day call (+44) 20 7646 0224 before checking in at Geneva, which is an automated continuous recording for the nearby London City airport. When they say "runway in use", if it's 28 they're heading westerly (most common), if they say it's 10 they're heading easterly.
If on westerlies, sit on the right of both planes, although you will only get a very distant fleeting view of her after the hangars and before the terminal complex. On your departing flight from Terminal 3 sit on the right. You will taxi along the north side of the terminals and you get your best view as the aircraft are jockeying for position to turn round and take off.
If on easterlies sit on the left of both planes, and after clearing the runway when the plane starts turning round the end of the terminals you will get a view during the long taxi. On your Miami flight you don't get any view during taxiing, but just as the 747 lifts off look left and you can get a very good aerial view of her . All depends on how much runway the 747 uses ! (hope for a light load and a cool day).
Watch for misunderstandings about where the Miami flight leaves from. It is the only BA flight to go from Terminal 3. And Geneva arrives at Terminal 4, which has changed in recent months. You will be put on the airside transfer bus between the two. I hope your kid enjoys the brief view of it - there are several around the UK in museums for a longer look, as described above and elsewhere.
I asume you're not that familiar with Heathrow, so a bit of explanation. Heathrow runway plan is similar to Miami, with two parallel east-west runways. The main terminals are between the two. There used to be a diagonal runway like Miami as well, but running from the top right corner to the middle of the bottom runway. This is now closed and used as a taxiway, and Concorde is tied down on it, towards the top corner. I'll call the runways "top" and "bottom", although if you know aviation 27L and 27R may be more meaningful.
70 percent of the time aircraft land towards the west, and at the day/time of your flights you will be landing on the bottom runway and taking off on the top one (the usage is rotated to a regular schedule if landing westerly). If the wind is the other way round you will be landing easterly, but this way round always landing on the top runway and always departing on the bottom one.
If you want to know the runway direction on the day call (+44) 20 7646 0224 before checking in at Geneva, which is an automated continuous recording for the nearby London City airport. When they say "runway in use", if it's 28 they're heading westerly (most common), if they say it's 10 they're heading easterly.
If on westerlies, sit on the right of both planes, although you will only get a very distant fleeting view of her after the hangars and before the terminal complex. On your departing flight from Terminal 3 sit on the right. You will taxi along the north side of the terminals and you get your best view as the aircraft are jockeying for position to turn round and take off.
If on easterlies sit on the left of both planes, and after clearing the runway when the plane starts turning round the end of the terminals you will get a view during the long taxi. On your Miami flight you don't get any view during taxiing, but just as the 747 lifts off look left and you can get a very good aerial view of her . All depends on how much runway the 747 uses ! (hope for a light load and a cool day).
Watch for misunderstandings about where the Miami flight leaves from. It is the only BA flight to go from Terminal 3. And Geneva arrives at Terminal 4, which has changed in recent months. You will be put on the airside transfer bus between the two. I hope your kid enjoys the brief view of it - there are several around the UK in museums for a longer look, as described above and elsewhere.