Once in a Lifetime

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  • Author:Viggen
  • Posted: 15th January 2009
  • Category: Lifestyle

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It`s a while since I enjoyed this related experience but it is worth recording. My dear father, since departed, was approaching his 80th birthday. What to do then, how should we celebrate?

Discussions were held with mum and family, yes, that is what we will do and naturally it must be kept secret until the last possible moment.

Every now and then a world icon comes out of this country and we were going to use one for dad`s present.
On the day we set off for the venue, dad totally in the dark as to where we were going. We told him it was to the grand opening of a new super-garden centre, he loved gardening.
We exited the M1 at junction 24 and drove into East Mids Airport. "Why here" says dad.
"There", I said "sitting waiting for you is your birthday treat".

On the concourse waiting was one the most beautiful aircraft ever to fly.... CONCORDE!! , and yes Dad`s present was a 2 hour flight down the Bay of Biscay.
Tears of joy streamed from his face, he couldn`t believe it.

To the flight then, after check in we taxied out to EMA runway 27, up come the throttles and WoW!! the acceleration was stunning. Steep climb-out and then settling in to a leisurely climb to altitude, the aircraft was so smooth.. Down the Bristol Channel and then!! just two nudges from the aircraft as the afterburners opened up and we were supersonic.

The aircraft accelerated to 1550mph and climbed to 62,000ft! The view was mindblowing, the curvature of the earth was most apparent, the sky a deep azure blue.

Lunch was served in near silent cabin level, silver service, first class, wonderful experience, all at a speed of Mach 2.

Back then to EMA for an approach and land. As a pilot myself I can say that the approach speed is very high, some 190 mph (170 kts) but the fabulous brakes stopped us in half the runway length!!.

Dad`s face was a picture of joy throughout the whole 2 hours. This aircraft was unique, way ahead of it`s time, a fabulous piece of engineering.

I am truly sorry that political argument at British Airways, for that is all it was, grounded this masterpiece of aviation.

It was two hours that I shall never forget.

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