Concorde was awarded a full Certificate of Airworthiness by the French authorities on 9 October 1975, followed by the UK on 5 December. The aircraft, now an airliner, was technically complete and in all respects ready for service. A bitter sweet occasion; the successful climax to six and a half years of intensive flying and testing, but with little prospect of developing the “B” model. The baton had passed to the operators.

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But, as with all aircraft, product improvement, reliability and in-service issues were addressed by operators and manufacturers together.

Captain Dave Leney (former Concorde Pilot and Flight Manager) and David Macdonald (former Flight Engineer Superintendent, Concorde) provide an insight into the technical and operational developments and the highlights and milestones of BA’s Concorde Fleet.

Concorde Lecture: Beyond Entry Into Service

Recorded: Wednesday 8th April 2009

Click the above link to download or listen to the full lecture

About the speakers:

Capt Dave Leney

Former Concorde Pilot and Flight Manager

Capt Dave Leney’s road to becoming a Concorde Captain began when he went with a group of friends from University College School, London to apply for pilot entry into the Royal Air Force for National Service. He later turned down a University place to join a commercial pilots course which led him to join BOAC. He flew and navigated Constellations and Argonauts and co-piloted Britannia’s attaining command on VC10’s in 1971. In 1974 Dave became Pilot Manager of the VC10’s and in 1976 he joined the Concorde fleet at the beginning of its association with British Airways. By 1977 he had completed the six month course and qualified as a Concorde Captain, later becoming Flight Manager. Dave retired from flying in 1992.

David Macdonald

Former Flight Engineer Superintendent, Concorde

David Macdonald began his aviation life as an airframe/engine apprentice with British European Airways, 1955 to 1960, leaving to undertake Flight Engineer training with BOAC in 1961. His first posting was to the de Havilland Comet 4, moving on to the Vickers VC10 after three years. Eleven years on the VC10 fleet included three as an Instructor/Examiner and a further three as Flight Engineer Superintendent (FES). In 1974, during the formation of BA’s Concorde nucleus group, he was pleased, not only to accept the position of FES Concorde, but also to continue his relationship with the British aircraft industry for a further twenty years.