Short Final: Concorde Criticism

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Key Takeaways:

  • The author recounted a BOAC Concorde flight from Washington Dulles to London Heathrow about 30 years ago.
  • He requested to join the flight deck for the approach and landing, promising not to interfere or criticize.
  • Captain McMahon granted the request with a witty, self-deprecating British response about their own learning curve and having heard all criticisms.
  • The flight concluded with a perfect landing.
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About 30 years ago I had a business trip to London and took the BOAC Concorde from Washington Dulles International Airport to London Heathrow Airport.

Captain McMahon had a very pleasant voice and I sent him a note requesting the jump seat if it was available for the approach and landing. I promised “not to touch anything or to criticize.”

His note back to me was classic British: “We’re still learning about this thing and it works best when we don’t touch anything either. You’re welcome to join us as we begin our descent and, as to criticism, I doubt you could say anything we haven’t already heard.”

It was, of course, a perfect landing.

Buddy Thompson
Louisville, KY
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