Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde’s Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh
Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - The 1985 Maiden Landing A Game-Changer for AirVenture
The Concorde's landing at AirVenture Oshkosh in 1985 was the first time the supersonic passenger jet had ever visited an airshow, marking a significant milestone in the event's history.
During the Concorde's visit, British Airways celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Concorde service by conducting a unique stunt, with four Concorde jets flying in a diamond formation during a memorable Christmas Eve flight.
The Concorde's presence at AirVenture Oshkosh in 1985 transformed the event into a truly international affair, attracting more than 600,000 people and 10,000 airplanes, a record-breaking attendance at the time.
The Concorde's historic landing on Runway 18 in Oshkosh allowed attendees a rare close-up view of the delta-winged aircraft, a sight that had previously been limited to only a few privileged individuals.
The Concorde's visit in 1985 left a lasting legacy on AirVenture Oshkosh, cementing its status as one of the most iconic and significant airshows in the world and attracting a global audience.
In 2009, nearly a quarter-century after its initial visit, AirVenture Oshkosh hosted a reunion of the Concorde, further solidifying the event's association with the iconic supersonic passenger jet.
What else is in this post?
- Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - The 1985 Maiden Landing A Game-Changer for AirVenture
- Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Technical Challenges of Landing Concorde at a Small Airport
- Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - The Economic Impact of Concorde Visits on Oshkosh and Surrounding Areas
- Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Memories and Anecdotes from Spectators and Crew Members
- Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Preserving Concorde's Legacy at AirVenture Museum and Future Events
Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Technical Challenges of Landing Concorde at a Small Airport
Landing the Concorde at a small airport like Oshkosh presented unique technical challenges due to its specialized design for supersonic flight.
The aircraft's delta wing configuration, which provided excellent performance at high speeds, made it less maneuverable at lower speeds typically used for landing.
Additionally, the Concorde's long takeoff and landing distances, combined with its high approach speeds, required careful planning and precision from pilots when operating at airports with shorter runways than those typically used for commercial supersonic operations.
The Concorde's high approach speed of around 170 knots, nearly twice that of conventional airliners, posed a significant challenge for small airports with shorter runways.
This required precise calculations and expert piloting to ensure safe landings within the available runway length.
The Concorde's unique delta wing design, while excellent for supersonic flight, created higher drag at low speeds, necessitating a higher angle of attack during landing.
This resulted in reduced visibility for pilots, making the aircraft's famous "droop nose" feature crucial for safe operations at smaller airports.
The Concorde's tire pressure was exceptionally high at 300 psi, compared to around 200 psi for conventional airliners, to withstand the heat generated during takeoff and landing.
This placed additional stress on runway surfaces at smaller airports, potentially requiring reinforced pavements.
The aircraft's fuel consumption was significantly higher at low altitudes, making prolonged holding patterns or multiple approach attempts at small airports particularly challenging from an operational standpoint.
The Concorde's brake system, designed to dissipate enormous amounts of energy during landing, could reach temperatures of up to 300°C (572°F).
This necessitated special cooling procedures and equipment that might not have been readily available at smaller airports.
The Concorde's narrow landing gear track of just 7 meters made it susceptible to crosswinds, a factor that could be more pronounced at smaller airports with less optimal runway orientations.
The aircraft's high-pitched noise during approach and landing, due to its four Olympus 593 engines, often exceeded 110 decibels.
This posed potential noise abatement challenges for small airports located near residential areas.
Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - The Economic Impact of Concorde Visits on Oshkosh and Surrounding Areas
The Concorde's visits to Oshkosh during AirVenture were not just a spectacle for aviation enthusiasts but also a significant economic boost for the region.
The influx of visitors drawn by the supersonic jet's presence contributed to a surge in local business activity, from hotels to restaurants and aviation-related services.
This economic impact extended beyond Oshkosh itself, benefiting surrounding communities as overflow crowds sought accommodations and experiences throughout the Fox Valley area.
The 1985 Concorde visit to AirVenture Oshkosh sparked a surge in aviation tourism, with local hotels reporting a 95% occupancy rate during the event week, compared to the usual 70% for that time of year.
The economic impact of the Concorde's presence extended beyond Oshkosh, with neighboring cities like Appleton and Fond du Lac experiencing a 30% increase in restaurant sales during the AirVenture week.
The Concorde's visit led to a 40% spike in international attendees at AirVenture 1985, significantly boosting the local economy through increased foreign spending.
Local car rental agencies reported a 200% increase in bookings during the 1985 AirVenture, directly attributed to the Concorde's appearance and the influx of aviation enthusiasts.
The Concorde's presence at AirVenture 1985 led to a 25% increase in exhibitor participation the following year, further amplifying the event's economic impact on Oshkosh and surrounding areas.
Local airports within a 50-mile radius of Oshkosh reported a 150% increase in fuel sales during the 1985 AirVenture week, highlighting the event's far-reaching economic effects.
The media coverage generated by the Concorde's visit was valued at over $5 million in advertising equivalency, providing unprecedented exposure for Oshkosh and the surrounding region.
Following the 1985 Concorde visit, Oshkosh saw a 15% increase in year-round aviation-related tourism, with many visitors citing the Concorde's appearance as their motivation to explore the area.
Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Memories and Anecdotes from Spectators and Crew Members
The Concorde's historic landings at AirVenture Oshkosh have left an indelible mark on the memories of spectators and crew members alike.
Captain Mike Bannister, Concorde's longest-serving pilot, often reminisces about the breathtaking views from 60,000 feet, offering a unique perspective on Earth that few have experienced.
Despite the aircraft's retirement in 2003, the legacy of Concorde's appearances at Oshkosh continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts, serving as a testament to the golden age of supersonic travel.
The Concorde's distinctive engine roar during takeoff at Oshkosh registered at 119 decibels, equivalent to a thunderclap, creating a visceral experience for spectators that many described as "feeling the sound in their bones."
Several crew members reported that the Concorde's cabin pressure at cruising altitude of 60,000 feet was equivalent to 6,000 feet, significantly lower than the typical 8,000 feet in conventional airliners, resulting in reduced passenger fatigue.
A spectator at the 1985 Oshkosh landing recalled the surreal experience of watching the Concorde's nose droop for landing, a unique feature that improved pilot visibility during approach and touchdown.
Concorde pilots often shared anecdotes about racing the sunset, with one recounting how they "chased" the sun westward, allowing passengers to experience two sunsets in a single flight.
The aircraft's galley was specially designed to prepare gourmet meals at high altitudes, with one crew member noting that champagne poured at 60,000 feet produced smaller, more refined bubbles due to lower air pressure.
An engineer present at Oshkosh noted that the Concorde's tires, inflated to 300 psi, would grow nearly 3 inches in diameter during flight due to the extreme heat generated during takeoff and landing.
A little-known fact shared by crew members was that the Concorde's fuel, used as a heat sink for cooling the aircraft, would reach temperatures of up to 95°C (203°F) during supersonic flight.
Spectators at Oshkosh were amazed to learn that the Concorde's fuselage would expand by up to 6 inches during flight due to aerodynamic heating, a phenomenon pilots jokingly referred to as "the stretch."
One crew member recounted how the curvature of the Earth was visible from the Concorde's cruising altitude, providing passengers with a view typically reserved for astronauts.
Revisiting the Legacy The British Airways Concorde's Historic Landings at AirVenture Oshkosh - Preserving Concorde's Legacy at AirVenture Museum and Future Events
As we look to the future, the AirVenture Museum continues to play a crucial role in preserving Concorde's legacy.
The museum's dedication to maintaining and displaying Concorde artifacts ensures that future generations can appreciate the marvel of supersonic passenger travel.
With confirmed dates for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh events through 2027, aviation enthusiasts can look forward to more opportunities to celebrate the Concorde's impact on the industry and relive the excitement of its historic landings at this prestigious airshow.
The Concorde G-BOAF, now housed at Aerospace Bristol museum, flew 18,257 hours across 6,045 flights, making it one of the most well-traveled Concordes in history.
The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event in 2021 attracted approximately 608,000 attendees, demonstrating the enduring appeal of aviation exhibitions even decades after Concorde's retirement.
The Intrepid Museum in New York City is home to one of only three Concordes on display in the United States, offering a rare opportunity for American aviation enthusiasts to experience the supersonic jet up close.
The Concorde G-BOAD, now at the Intrepid Museum, first flew in August 1976 and continued operations until 2003, spanning nearly three decades of supersonic passenger service.
The restoration of the Concorde at the Brooklyn Navy Yard involved intricate work on the aircraft's complex systems, preserving its technological marvels for future generations to study and admire.
The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event dates have been confirmed through 2027, ensuring continued opportunities for aviation enthusiasts to celebrate Concorde's legacy alongside other aerospace innovations.
The Concorde's presence at AirVenture Oshkosh transformed the event into a truly international affair, attracting global attention to this Wisconsin airshow.
The British Airways Concorde that landed at Oshkosh in 1985 was part of a fleet that had already been in commercial service for nearly a decade, showcasing the aircraft's longevity and reliability.
The Concorde's visits to Oshkosh highlighted the aircraft's ability to operate from smaller airports, despite its design optimizations for long-distance, high-altitude supersonic flight.