As a former chemical engineering PhD student, Jock describes how chance involvement with a university air squadron and seeing Concorde’s first flight on his 25th birthday led him to pursue aviation, join the BEA/BOAC training scheme, and aim to fly Concorde. He explains his early role in Concorde’s commercial entry through a pilots’ union evaluation committee, including simulator work in Toulouse, test flights for New York departures, and other technical challenges faced piloting Concorde. He recounts Concorde’s higher technical incident rate, unique supersonic handling (engine failure effects, transonic augmentation, fuel transfer for center of gravity, pressurisation vigilance), and the mental demands of high speed and fuel burn. He discusses passenger motivations (speed, prestige, efficient high standards), Concorde’s national “aspiration” value, obstacles to new supersonic projects (cost, noise, range, emissions, sonic boom), evolving safety practices, limited upgrade incentives, career highlights, advice to young pilots, and improving travel efficiency while reducing emissions and contrails.
Episode Host: Michael Arron Producer and Editor Stewart Anthony Original Music: Mood Mode
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