BAC 1-11 captain and Concorde test pilot and instructor– part three of an interview with Alan Smith

Royal Aeronautical Society Podcast · Oct 6, 2026 · 1h 27m

From water-ingestion and engine surge trials on Concorde 002 to flying eight of the ten Concordes built, Alan shares first-hand memories of the aircraft's flight test programme. He also recalls continuing to fly and train customers on the BAC 1-11 throughout the Concorde programme, and training the first British Airways Concorde crews. His flying career ultimately spanned more than 50 years, 75 aircraft types and over 18,000 flying hours.

In 1973, Alan Smith joined the Concorde flight test programme at Fairford, where he spent much of the year repeatedly driving Concorde 002 through water…