For many, Concorde was a glorious reminder of the golden age of air travel;
for others it was simply the quickest way to cross the Atlantic. And for Captain Andy Baillie, one of the elite few to pilot the legendary aircraft during its 27-year reign, it was more than just a job. It became an enduring passion.
The 53-year-old from Bridge of Allan "ew the aircraft for eight years. When it was taken out of service and he hung up his Concorde pilot s cap, he says it felt like losing a limb. I notice it most when I "nish a "ight, Z says Baillie, who now "ies Boeing 747s. These days I just get off and climb on to the crew transport to the hotel. With Concorde, after we landed we always used to have a bit of a wander and say goodbye to everyone on board.Z Concorde was retired in October 2003, with operators British Airways and Air France citing falling passenger levels and rising maintenance costs. The aircraft s safety record was exemplary until July 2000, when an Air France Concorde "ying from Paris to New York crashed shortly after take-off, killing all 109 people on board and four on the ground.
The chances of another Concorde seem slim.
All other aircraft "y on aerodynamics, but the concorde was pure ballistics, Z Baillie recalls.
The adrenalin rush came on take-off because that was when you felt the acceleration. The most spectacular thing about passing through the sound barrier it is that you don t feel it. The aircraft goes through hell, but for those on board it appears effortless.Z Baillie s interest in "ying was sparked at an early age by his uncle, a clerk in the RAF. At 18 he almost joined the RAF himself, but decided he had no wish to drop a bucket of sunshine on innocent peopleZ and opted instead for civil aviation. After completing his training he joined British Airways and worked his way through the ranks, "ying what he calls budgiesZ around the Highlands and Islands before graduating to transatlantic routes.
He started "ying Concordes in 1995.
He describes the atmosphere on board Concorde as extremely relaxed. Before 9/11 there was an open-door policy and passengers would pop into the cockpit to say hello. On one occasion Paul McCartney serenaded an 80-yearold lady who was taking her "rst-ever "ight.
Baillie is due to retire next year, but it is unlikely his ardour for Concorde will ever wane.
She was always treated as everyone s mistress, Z he says with a smile. Wonder what his wife, Lynda, thinks of that?
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