i went to school with mike, he is a few years older than me, i remember sitting next to him in the school library, we were both studying, him for his A levels i was in my second year and we got talking, i asked what he was planning to do when school was over and he said then he was going to be a pilot and that he already had an offer from BA if he passed his exams. it all worked out very well for him, well done mike B.
Wow. Great story. And with Mike knowing so clearly what he was going to do, what a plane it was that he happened to pilot, eh? The Concord. And top man on its team too.
My favorite Concorde pilot. His distinctive voice and his precise explanations in video and audio reports have contributed to Concorde being my favorite aircraft. Too bad it doesn't fly anymore. All the best Mike!
Back when Britain was truly great. My only regret is that Concorde stopped service before I was earning enough to be able to afford it. Just a few more years would have done.
One of the top 5 best Captains to ever fly an airplane! In 1993 I gave him a ride in my B-1 while at RAF Lakenheath. When he got the yoke he immediately lit the burners, pulled the nose up 15 degrees, and did 2 barrel rolls! In return I got to hand fly the Concorde from takeoff to 58,000 feet, up to 1350mph. I got the better half of the deal in my mind! A great man Mike Bannister!!
i'M surprised to to have to repeat this so many times BUT, In 2002, B.A annoucned that Their Concorde Service, alone, created 25% NET, of all their profits, and rising. This ,to a large degree, was due to the rise in various groups of people Chartering Concorde. John Hutchinson, a Senior Concorde Captain said BA should NOT have ceased their Service. It was still viable. He was probably right, as the two main issues ( 9/11 ) and Air France Concorde crash, had nothing to do with BA. and the probable Passenger's soon rcovered their confidence in flying.
Yeah it’s frustrating that the same misinformation if posted regarding Concorde. The reality is more so that the manufacturer support was pulled thus they couldn’t operate any longer. It was a huge money maker based upon all those who have spoken on it from within BA, including those in operations.
I am glad Mike mentioned "vocation" - a deep calling, which defines a man's life, not an NVQ, which covers everything from sweeping floors upwards - NVQs are not vocational, but politicians are stupid - thus we have NVQs - dump your MP
very beautiful, stunning and whatsoever... but the world doesnt need this... simple as that, not economic at all - just a luxury tool.. no longer contemporary
WE should be pushing the limits not accommodating for them. IMO we took a step back when we retired the concord without a true successor to replace it. Speed might not be everything but it's a hell of a lot.
