Concorde

Definition

Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner that was developed and operated by British and French manufacturers from 1969 until 2003. It is renowned for its ability to travel at speeds exceeding twice the speed of sound, allowing it to significantly reduce flight times across the Atlantic and other long-distance routes, marking a significant achievement in aviation history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Concorde could cruise at a maximum speed of around Mach 2.04, enabling it to fly from New York to London in about 3.5 hours.
2. The aircraft had a unique delta wing design, which contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency and stability at supersonic speeds.
3. Concorde flights were restricted over land due to sonic booms, resulting in routes primarily over oceans where such disturbances were minimized.
4. Only 20 Concorde aircraft were built, and they were operated by British Airways and Air France during their service.
5. The operational costs of Concorde were significantly higher than subsonic aircraft, leading to its retirement as commercial demand for supersonic travel declined.

Review Questions

• How did Concorde's design contribute to its ability to fly at supersonic speeds?
  • Concorde's design featured a delta wing configuration which provided excellent aerodynamic efficiency and control at high speeds. The wings were shaped to minimize drag during supersonic flight while maximizing lift. Additionally, the use of powerful turbojet engines with afterburners allowed Concorde to achieve and maintain speeds over Mach 2, making it one of the most iconic supersonic airliners in history.
• Discuss the challenges faced by Concorde regarding its operational routes and the implications of sonic booms on its service.
  • One of the main challenges faced by Concorde was the restriction on flying over land at supersonic speeds due to the noise created by sonic booms. This limitation meant that Concorde could only operate transatlantic flights primarily over oceans, which reduced its potential market and route options compared to subsonic aircraft. Consequently, these restrictions impacted profitability and overall demand for its services.
• Evaluate the reasons behind the retirement of Concorde and its impact on the future of supersonic travel.
  • The retirement of Concorde in 2003 was influenced by several factors including high operational costs, declining passenger numbers post-9/11, and increasing environmental concerns regarding noise and fuel consumption. The limited market for luxury supersonic travel made it difficult for operators to justify continuing operations. As a result, Concorde's retirement signified a pause in commercial supersonic aviation, but it also spurred new interest in developing quieter and more efficient supersonic designs that aim to overcome these barriers for future travel.

Related terms

Supersonic:

Refers to speeds greater than the speed of sound, typically around 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second) at sea level.

Mach Number: A dimensionless unit used to represent the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.

Afterburner: A component used in some jet engines that injects additional fuel into the exhaust stream to provide an increase in thrust, commonly utilized during supersonic flight.