For Air France, Concorde was far more than a simple addition to its fleet; it became the embodiment of its pioneering spirit and its commitment to excellence.
From its entry into service in 1976, the aircraft was an unparalleled technological showcase, projecting the image of an airline at the forefront of progress. With a wingspan of 26 meters, a length of 62 meters, and a height of 12 meters, Concorde and its slender silhouette were instantly recognizable.
Concorde's development generated numerous innovations and technological advances that benefited the entire aeronautical industry. Among them were electric flight controls, carbon disc brakes, autopilot, and a windshield reinforced with a thin layer of transparent gold for increased resistance.
The cockpit, a true temple of technology, was equipped with more than 200 gauges, 200 indicator lights, and around a hundred switches, reflecting the complexity and sophistication of the aircraft for its time.
Concorde was powered by four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines, the most powerful turbojets of their era. These engines featured an afterburner system, increasing thrust by injecting fuel into the hot exhaust gases, enabling supersonic speeds.
-
Image
© Air France -
Image
-
Image
-
Image
At cruising speed, Concorde exceeded Mach 2.02 (approximately 2,170 km/h), flying at more than twice the speed of sound and twice as fast as subsonic aircraft. It cruised in the stratosphere, between 16,000 and 18,000 meters altitude, offering passengers breathtaking views of the curvature of the Earth and a deep blue sky, in exceptional comfort far above atmospheric turbulence.
