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Concorde

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Concorde

By: Mike Bannister
Narrated by: Mike Bannister
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The definitive account of the rise and fall of the world's fastest plane from British Airways' former Chief Concorde Pilot.

October 24th, 2023 will mark 20 years since Concorde disappeared from our skies. Yet still Mike Bannister, the last Concorde Chief Pilot, faces the same questions:

  • Why is she no longer flying?
  • Where is her replacement?
  • And what really happened on that tragic afternoon in July 2000, when the crash of Flight 4590 grounded the Concorde forever?

Concorde is an enthralling personal account of what it takes to fly planes faster than the speed of sound, and of the events that lay behind 114 needless deaths—the 113 victims of the crash and, ultimately, Concorde herself.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Mike Bannister (P)2022 Penguin Audio Air Forces Armed Forces Engineering Military Military science Transportation Aviation Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
A gripping book, superbly narrated by the author. Loved every minute of it. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in aviation at whatever level from interested amateur to seasoned professional.

Brilliant read/listen

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I've not read the book I've only listened to the audible version of this book and we have to say it was most entertaining, eye opening and at times startling!!

Mike's love and passion for Concorde can be heard in every word.

I enjoyed every single second and so will you.

Next stop Brooklands and a trip in the flight simulator hopefully with the great man himself.

A very easy listen, read with authority and candar

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Just finished listening to this. It was so good I'm going to now buy the hardback as a keep-sake. The story kept me engrossed from start-to-finish! Listening to Mike himself talk through this almost 'autobiography' made it extra special. His voice and tone, at happy moments as well as sad ones, just made it so much better. I admit I've always been thrilled by flying, and - like most - when we saw Concorde, but this is a story that should appeal to all. Mike exudes his passion for flying, and for safety. The story of his early career was anecdotal and very interesting.

I didn't expect the book to focus as much on the aftermath of the Air France accident, but to hear chapter after chapter of incredible investigative analysis, as layers of the onion were un-peeled - and the holes in the swiss-cheese aligned so tragically - was remarkable and riveting. It was like listening to a detective story. To hear how Mike was further involved, as a consultant, in the trials that followed was also unexpected. His mental dilemna whether to be so was understandable, and he should be proud of his efforts to see that the truth was documented.

Many spine-tingling moments, Mike's book invoked enormous pride in me on what the UK (and France) did to get this remarkable aircraft designed and flying at Mach 2, along with all who played a part. In conjunction with sadness that events aligned for it's premature retirement. But I'm thrilled to hear so much about how the memory lives on at Brooklands (which I'll visit soon) and elsewhere.

I myself was honoured to watch onsite the very last Concorde take-off at Heathrow, and to then drive to Filton just in time to see her land. I still remember the sound of the engines being turned off for the last time as she finished taxi-ing. I met Mike at an event a short while after, and a signed print of her has stood in prime place in my hall ever since.

A wonderful book, and story of human achievement. Bravo!!

A remarkable book in every way. Recommend!

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I’ve listened to over 100 audiobooks and this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to write a review. An absolutely magical chronology of Concorde’s life interwoven with details of Captain Bannister’s amazing career. The narration by the author is faultless, and has just the right balance of technical discussion for almost everyone; for AV geeks and / or engineers like me it precipitates a much deeper understanding of the workings of Concorde and the events that let to her demise. You also get a very clear sense of Mike’s intelligence, passion for Concorde, and his sadness at no longer flying her. I am just so sad that I have now finished it! Looking forward to the next book, hurry up and write it please Mike!

An utterly fantastic delivery of an amazing story.

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A great trip through the world of Concorde by the man who knows more about it than anybody else.
As a PPL I enjoyed hearing all the technical facts on flying that truly magnificent aircraft.
I remember watching it turn over my house on a Sunday evening at tea time on its way into LHR.
Thank you for writing this Mike

Concorde the queen of the sky’s

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Possibly the best read / listen to date. Mike describes technical aspects in a way that works for those in aviation and people who have never been involved in flying and engineering. I thoroughly recommend this important record of one of our greatest achievements!

Fantastic listen

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Fantastic read and story. So interesting and engaging by Mike. What a machine and amazing engineering.

Fantastic

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Mike tells the story of his love of aviation and especially Concorde with passion, objectivity as well as subjectivity. For anyone with interest in aviation and curiosity about the icon that Concorde undoubtedly is, this is a brilliant and captivating book. The passages about the Queens Golden Jubilee flyby hat me welling up with pride. Well done Mike!

Captivating, human, tragic and triumphant read about a golden era of supersonic flight.

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Love it all the way through. Such a great and sad story of an epic engineering marvel by a passionate and knowledgeable person.

The passion for Concord

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It’s taken me a little while to get into this but once in you are (apologies for the pun) “flying” a Mike talks through his career and 22 years piloting Concorde his experiences through the difficult time post AF with absolute passion and knowledge of “his” aircraft. I remember Mike from the TV being a youngster and still inspired me today. Amazing work well done Mike

Passion and knowledge

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