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On October 1, 1969, the Concorde broke the sound barrier for the first time in the aircraft's history. The Concorde is a unique aircraft with a slender fuselage and a complex wing shape, designed to achieve supersonic speed and range. With its turbojets and ability to supercruise, the Concorde could fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean at twice the speed of sound. The aircraft entered service in 1976 and has become an iconic symbol of aviation history, with its retirement in 2003 marking the end of an era.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of breaking the sound barrier | 1st October 1969 |
| Speed | Mach 1.05 (805 mph) |
| Duration | 9 minutes |
| Date of flying twice the speed of sound | November 1970 |
| Speed (twice the speed of sound) | Mach 2 (1,350 mph) |
| Engine | Four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets |
| Range | Transatlantic |
| Passenger capacity | 92 to 128 |
| Construction material | Aluminium |
| Control system | Analogue fly-by-wire flight controls |
| First flight | 21st January 1976 |
| Airlines | Air France, British Airways |
| Departure airports | Paris-Roissy, London Heathrow |
| Destinations | Washington Dulles, New York JFK |
| Retirement | 2003 |
| Display locations | Europe, North America |
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What You'll Learn
Concorde 001 broke the sound barrier first on 1 October 1969
Concorde 001 broke the sound barrier for the first time on 1 October 1969. This was a significant moment in the history of aviation and marked a major milestone in the development of the Concorde aircraft.
The Concorde is a unique aircraft with a distinctive design. It is tailless, with a narrow fuselage that accommodates four-abreast seating for 92 to 128 passengers. It features an ogival delta wing and a droop nose that improves landing visibility. The Concorde is powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets, which enable it to achieve supersonic speeds.
On that historic day in 1969, Concorde 001 took off and climbed to an altitude of 36,000 feet. It cruised at this altitude for approximately 75 miles before accelerating to supersonic speed. The aircraft broke through the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.05 (805 mph) and maintained this speed for nine minutes before slowing back to subsonic speed.
This successful test flight was a crucial step in proving the capabilities of the Concorde. Engineers conducted various tests, including flutter tests, to ensure that the aircraft's structure could withstand high-speed vibrations without the risk of structural failure. The Concorde project had begun over a decade earlier, in the 1950s, with the formation of a committee to study supersonic transport (SST). The development of the Concorde involved overcoming engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of aviation technology.
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It flew at Mach 1.05 (805 mph) for 9 minutes
On October 1, 1969, the Concorde 001 broke through the sound barrier for the first time. The aircraft flew at Mach 1.05 (805 mph) for 9 minutes, reaching this speed at 36,000 feet and 75 miles. This was a crucial test for the engineers, who needed to ensure that the airframe could withstand high-speed vibrations without the risk of structural failure. To do this, they conducted flutter tests, which confirmed the aircraft's ability to handle these vibrations safely.
The Concorde's ability to break the sound barrier was made possible by its unique design and powerful engines. Its tailless structure, narrow fuselage, and ogival delta wing allowed for an impressive supersonic speed range. The aircraft was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets with variable engine intake ramps and reheat capabilities, enabling it to accelerate to supersonic speeds with ease.
Just over a year after its first supersonic achievement, in November 1970, Concorde reached Mach 2 (1,350 mph), flying twice the speed of sound. This speed was crucial for the aircraft's performance in transatlantic flights, which were its main market. With its supersonic capabilities, Concorde could fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, a feat that no other aircraft could match at the time.
Concorde's supersonic achievements were not without challenges and setbacks. In the early days of its development, the project faced delays and cost overruns, leading to significant increases in overall costs. Later, in 2000, Air France Flight 4590, a Concorde aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 109 occupants and four people on the ground. This tragic incident led to the suspension of commercial service until November 2001, and the remaining aircraft were retired by 2003.
Despite these challenges, Concorde's ability to break the sound barrier and fly at supersonic speeds remains an impressive engineering feat. It represented a significant milestone in aviation history and continues to be remembered and celebrated even years after its retirement.
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Concorde is a unique, tailless aircraft design
The Concorde's body, or fuselage, is slim and only 9.5 ft (2.7 m) wide, compared to the 747's width of 20 ft (6.1 m). Its length is about 202 ft (61.7 m), just slightly shorter than a 747. The long, narrow shape of the Concorde reduces drag as it moves through the air. The Concorde's wings are thin, swept back, and triangular, which differs from the 747's wings, which are swept back but rectangular. The Concorde's wing design was based on the idea that extending the wing along the fuselage as far as possible would increase lift from the vortex and maximise the effect.
The Concorde's unusual design is also evident in its construction. It is made mainly of aluminium, using a high-temperature alloy similar to that developed for aero-engine pistons. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets with variable engine intake ramps and reheat for takeoff and acceleration to supersonic speed. The Concorde was the first airliner to have analogue fly-by-wire flight controls and to employ hybrid circuits in its avionics system.
The Concorde's unique design enables it to fly at incredibly high speeds and altitudes. It can cruise at Mach 2.02 (~2,154 km/h or ~1,338 mph) for optimum fuel consumption and can fly at twice the altitude of a commercial jet, between 55,000 and 60,000 feet. At this altitude, passengers can see the curvature of the Earth. The Concorde broke the sound barrier for the first time on October 1, 1969, and a little over a year later, it flew at twice the speed of sound, at Mach 2 (1,350 mph).
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It had a transatlantic range while supercruising at twice the speed of sound
On the 1st of October 1969, Concorde 001 broke through the sound barrier for the first time in the aircraft's history. This was a significant milestone, as it marked the first time a commercial airliner had achieved this feat. The Concorde is a unique aircraft with a distinctive design, including a tailless structure, a narrow fuselage, and a droop nose for improved landing visibility.
One of the key advantages of the Concorde was its impressive speed and range capabilities. It had a transatlantic range while supercruising at twice the speed of sound, known as supersonic speed. This speed is equivalent to Mach 2 or approximately 1,350 miles per hour. To achieve this speed, the Concorde was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets with variable engine intake ramps and reheat capabilities for take-off and acceleration.
The Concorde's ability to maintain supersonic speed for extended periods made it exceptional. It could cruise at twice the speed of sound for 75% of the transatlantic distance. This capability was made possible through a combination of efficient powerplants, a slender fuselage design, and a complex wing shape that minimised drag while maximising lift. The Concorde's speed and range revolutionised transatlantic travel, making it possible to cross the ocean faster than ever before.
The development of the Concorde was a collaborative effort involving multiple countries and companies. The project began in the 1950s when Arnold Hall, director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), tasked Morien Morgan with forming a committee to study supersonic transport (SST). This led to the formation of the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC), which worked on developing a practical SST design. The Concorde entered commercial service on the 21st of January 1976, with Air France and British Airways operating the first flights from Paris and London, respectively.
While the Concorde's speed and range were groundbreaking, its operational history also included challenges and setbacks. The aircraft experienced technical issues, and there were concerns about its environmental impact due to fuel consumption and noise levels. Despite these challenges, the Concorde remains an iconic aircraft that pushed the boundaries of aviation technology and continues to capture the imagination of people even after its retirement.
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The Concorde project was born in 1956
The development of the Concorde was a collaborative effort between the British and French governments, with a treaty signed in November 1962 committing the two countries to share the financing of the development and production of the new jet. The British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) and Sud Aviation were responsible for building the airframe of the proposed supersonic airliner, while Bristol Siddeley (UK) and SNECMA (France) collaborated on the development of the aircraft's Olympus 593 jet engines.
The Concorde was an ambitious project that faced several challenges, including rising costs, public concern over environmental issues, and competition from other aircraft. However, it also broke new ground in aerospace technology and became an icon of beauty, style, and engineering marvel.
On October 1, 1969, the Concorde 001 broke through the sound barrier for the first time, reaching Mach 1.05 (805 mph) for 9 minutes. A little over a year later, in November 1970, the aircraft flew twice the speed of sound at Mach 2 (1,350 mph).
Despite the initial customer interest, the project experienced order cancellations, and only Air France and British Airways took up their orders. The Concorde entered service in 1976 and flew until 2003, inspiring avgeeks and the general public worldwide during its 27 years of passenger service. Over 2.5 million people flew on the Concorde, experiencing supersonic travel and witnessing the curvature of the Earth from its windows.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Concorde broke the sound barrier for the first time on 1st October 1969.
Concorde reached Mach 1.05 (805 mph) for 9 minutes before slowing back to its subsonic speed.
Concorde was cruising at 36,000 ft.
Concorde entered commercial service on 21st January 1976, 17 years after breaking the sound barrier.
Concorde could travel at twice the speed of sound, reaching Mach 2 (1,350 mph).
