The publicity surrounding the last flight of Concorde should call to mind the real events that surrounded the demise of this unique piece of aeronautical artistry.
Christian Marty and Concorde might still be flying unchallenged today if there had been a better-swept runway at Paris, for it was a small strip of metal that triggered the freakish chain of events that brought the sleek airliner to earth in a scattered heap of burnt and tangled metal. Air transport is for ever unforgiving of the short comings of all who serve its operational needs and overlooking even a small aspect can so easily bring disaster.
Maurice McGreal
Auckland, New Zealand
Source: Flight International
