Full disclaimer up front: This post originates from the official website of the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in France. I have already noted tomorrow's date (April 1st) and am crossing my fingers that this is real and actually going to happen.In honor of the 40th anniversary of its first flight in 1969, the French Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace has restored Concorde F-BTSD (cn. 213) to flying condition and will take to the sky again on June 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM from Le Bourget Field at the Paris Air Show.
The restoration, which took place in secrcet, was funded by benefactors and aviation enthusiasts with the help of former Concorde maintenance technicians.
The two-hour flight will have F-BTSD departing Le Bourget with 50 passengers heading west out over Ireland for a trip above mach one. The last time this aircraft flew was June 2003.
UPDATE 10:03 PM: I am disappointed to announce that this March 31st post was actually intended by the museum's curator for April 1st, as it is a clever (again disappointing) hoax for April Fools Day tomorrow. Hey Jon, did you know gullible isn't in the dictionary?
on March 31, 2009 6:04 PM | Reply
If it looks like, smells like, and talks like an April Fool's, it probably is.
on March 31, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply
I think this is an April fool's joke ...
concorde could carry 100 people - why only put 50 in it for a flight ?
on March 31, 2009 6:15 PM | Reply
Type this with a straight face, Jon?
on March 31, 2009 6:18 PM | Reply
Believe it or not I did...
This was posted on March 31st in Western Europe. Why do it a day early? Trust me, I'm skeptical (hence the massive disclaimer up front) but I so badly want it to be true.
Jon
on March 31, 2009 6:30 PM | Reply
The 50 seat capacity might be related to the musuem configuration, where seats have been removed to facilitate public viewing.
on March 31, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply
Yeah, I'm highly skeptical too. But how wonderful that would be...
on March 31, 2009 6:46 PM | Reply
I think it's true. The only thing that makes me sceptical is that they were preparing it since "many years" and this was made possible by "a partnership of industrials and very fortunate passionates".
But It has been already said on a previous video posted on youtube the 13th March so I guess... this is for real !
And also I don't think they put it out just to let her take some fresh air or clean the building...
Anybody around Paris that may spot something ?
Or knowing a former Concorde pilot since they're saying that they all responded to pilot it again ?
Or maybe asking the french civil aviation direction (dgac) if they really delivered a certificate for the flight ?
Crossing my finger too and even harder that my dad can get me tickets for the professional day on the 16th of June !
on March 31, 2009 8:53 PM | Reply
Now I wonder if maybe THIS is a joke...
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_357158.html
:(
on March 31, 2009 9:12 PM | Reply
It's a april April Fool's joke !
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_357158.html
on March 31, 2009 11:19 PM | Reply
Such a shame its an april fools joke :(
on April 1, 2009 3:45 AM | Reply
I'm pretty disgusted someone who has a passion for aviation would do something like this.
Get our hopes up and then smash them.
Not nice.
on April 1, 2009 7:28 AM | Reply
Have you seen the one about the DreamDiner? :-D
on April 1, 2009 10:48 AM | Reply
Jon - Do you remember the time I convinced you that helicopters can fly upside down with "negative collective?" You do love aviation don't you?
on April 1, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply
I am sorry for anyone who believed it, but it is April Fool's... I worked in this Museum and I know that even if they do turn on hyd and elec circuits, play with the nose and wheel brakes vents, Concorde Sierra Delta would need at least a full Check D to get its airworthyness again.
This joke might be a good idea of the current director who is not known to be thinking of anything or anyone but himself.
Like you all, I had my heart stopped when I read the title on the Museum's website, but then I remembered the date... And felt really angry...
on June 16, 2009 11:07 AM | Reply
Sorry Folks,
but this bit of news was indeed TRUE.
It flew today.
If you can read the lingo, here is the link:
http://www.nos.nl/nosjournaal/artikelen/2009/6/16/160609_concorde_vlucht.html
As part of the Centenary of french aviation, Concorde took to the skies at 10 AM GMT+2 from Le Borget airport on 16th June 2009.
on June 18, 2009 2:14 AM | Reply
As I was driving down the A2 this afternoon (the 17th of June) towards 's-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands, I noticed a plane looking suspiciously like a Concorde heading East, towards Germany. Of course I was amazed. When I first noticed it I saw its delta shape from the bottom and it was banking to the right, so it may have come from the South. It was flying rather low and stayed at the same level. It left a trail of smoke. I was looking for some mention of this flight but all I found was this hoax item. I'm really curious to know what was going on. Note that this is a day later than the hoax annoucement. I wonder if someone else noticed this. Cheers, Peter
on September 23, 2009 7:52 AM | Reply
The Delta plane you saw was probably the former RAF Vulcan XH558, on route to perform at an airshow in the Netherlands as it's first trip abroad since it was launched back into the sky after a huge funding by the english people.
The Vulcan was the mother of Concorde and undertook testing of the engines whilst Concorde was being designed. Ironically, as an older aircraft, this was able to be re-certified and re-flown so why not Concorde.
I'd certainly pay some money towards the maintenance as I do already for the Vulcan.
Andy