Fuel Trimming System
Concorde's delta wing shape is reasonably stable throughout the flight envelope. However, during acceleration from subsonic to supersonic flight the point at which the aircraft is supported by the air, called aerodynamic centre of pressure, moves rearwards, this affects the balance and handling of the aircraft.
Concorde uses a group of trim transfer tanks to maintain the balance of the aircraft by transferring fuel rearwards during acceleration to supersonic flight and forwards during the return to subsonic flight.
Engine intakes and exhaust
Concorde requires very powerful engines. The engines themselves are of a conventional design just as would be fitted to any fighter aircraft. However, Concorde operates over a much wider speed range than a subsonic aircraft and the necessity to supply the engines with the correct amount of air and at a speed which the engine can handle, has led to the development of a variable intake and exhaust system.
This system works by changing the amount of air that can enter the engines by narrowing the intake area when the aircraft speed increases. This enables the air entering the engine to be kept at a similar speed throughout the aircraft's speed range.
Concorde uses a reheat system to achieve its high speeds. injecting fuel directly into the exhausts nozzles of the engines, which is then ignited. This increases the thrust that the engines produce and propels the aircraft forward at a faster rate.
Technical Details
Role - Prototype Supersonic Passenger Aircraft
Manufacturers - British Aircraft Corporation/Sud Aviation
Power plant - 4 x Bristol Siddeley Olympus with reheat
Wingspan - 83ft 10in (25.56m)
Length - 184ft 2in (62.1m)
Height - 38ft (11.32m)
Weight - 326,000lbs (147.8 mt)
Max speed - Mach 2.2 (1,350mph)
Range - 2,205 miles
Armament - Nil
Brief History
G-BSST - BAC Concorde
9/4/69 – first flew from Filton to Fairford to undertake flight trials - pilot - Brian Trubshaw
30/10/74 – Certificate of air worthiness expired
4/3/76 - Flown into Yeovilton for preservation at FAAM
26/7/76 - Opened to the public for the first time