3 ms·

So, how much was the experience different from flying subsonic?

KGIII 9y ago
The service was truly first class, compared to other offerings at the time. It wasn't a very big aircraft and the acceleration wasn't as much as I was hoping for. The booze was free flowing and they happily served me for the whole flight. The announcements were informative and entertaining. That's pretty much it... I enjoyed it but it wasn't life altering. Was it worth it? Probably not for most. It was worth it just to have had the experience, in my case. I'd always wanted to go and they were shutting down. So, I went. At the time, I could have spent the money more wisely, but I don't regret it.
- danmaz74 9y ago
  Thanks, interesting
shoobedowop 9y ago
Jet engines sound different. If you felt the window, it was warm to the touch vs. cold on a subsonic. Outside window was much smaller than subsonic. The sound of the air passing by was closer to a sizzling sound in super cruise vs. what we hear on subsonic. Take off had a noticeably faster groundspeed before rotation. 60-90 seconds (I forget, depends on airport) after departing the runway, throttles were reduced and you felt the plane slow quickly and the plane's angle of attack was reduced. This was for noise abatement and they explained this prior to takeoff so not as to alarm you. Leaving JFK on 31L included a sharp left bank as soon as wheels up to follow the shoreline and avoid populated areas. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-3003jtuY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-3003jtuY After leaving populated area, throttles were pushed to full and climb resumed. If all went according to flight plan, Concorde would be at .95 Mach shortly and get the OK to go supersonic. Afterburners. You felt them getting turned on to go supersonic. They were turned on in pairs - one on each side. Felt like someone was gently pushing you from behind. No turbulence - would fly above the weather. Landing was like being in a recliner. High angle of attach on the approach. Once down on all wheels, NOISE as the reversers kicked in. The delta wing didn't flex like subsonic wings do, so any bumps during climb or decent felt a bit more sharp (less bouncy/spongy? hard to find the words). Maybe it was just me. Other than that, it's the same as a regular subsonic. 10/10 would do again. Need time travel.
- danmaz74 9y ago
  Thanks!

The service was truly first class, compared to other offerings at the time. It wasn't a very big aircraft and the acceleration wasn't as much as I was hoping for. The booze was free flowing and they happily served me for the whole flight. The announcements were informative and entertaining. That's pretty much it... I enjoyed it but it wasn't life altering. Was it worth it? Probably not for most. It was worth it just to have had the experience, in my case. I'd always wanted to go and they were shutting down. So, I went. At the time, I could have spent the money more wisely, but I don't regret it.

danmaz74 9y ago
Thanks, interesting

shoobedowop 9y ago

Jet engines sound different. If you felt the window, it was warm to the touch vs. cold on a subsonic. Outside window was much smaller than subsonic. The sound of the air passing by was closer to a sizzling sound in super cruise vs. what we hear on subsonic. Take off had a noticeably faster groundspeed before rotation. 60-90 seconds (I forget, depends on airport) after departing the runway, throttles were reduced and you felt the plane slow quickly and the plane's angle of attack was reduced. This was for noise abatement and they explained this prior to takeoff so not as to alarm you. Leaving JFK on 31L included a sharp left bank as soon as wheels up to follow the shoreline and avoid populated areas. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-3003jtuY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-3003jtuY After leaving populated area, throttles were pushed to full and climb resumed. If all went according to flight plan, Concorde would be at .95 Mach shortly and get the OK to go supersonic. Afterburners. You felt them getting turned on to go supersonic. They were turned on in pairs - one on each side. Felt like someone was gently pushing you from behind. No turbulence - would fly above the weather. Landing was like being in a recliner. High angle of attach on the approach. Once down on all wheels, NOISE as the reversers kicked in. The delta wing didn't flex like subsonic wings do, so any bumps during climb or decent felt a bit more sharp (less bouncy/spongy? hard to find the words). Maybe it was just me. Other than that, it's the same as a regular subsonic. 10/10 would do again. Need time travel.

danmaz74 9y ago
Thanks!