Museum offers Concorde 'flights'

Concorde completed its last commercial passenger flight in 2003

The world's first Concorde flight simulator for use by the public has begun operating in Surrey.

The simulator, at Brooklands Museum, in Weybridge, was originally used to train all British Airways' Concorde pilots.

It will now enable aviation enthusiasts to "fly" the aircraft across the globe as if travelling in it for real.

Ex chief Concorde pilot Mike Bannister said: "Even if someone's never flown an aircraft before, they can get an incredible amount of satisfaction."

Mr Bannister, who flew Concorde over Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 and was at the controls for Concorde's last flight from New York to London, said the aircraft was like "a thorough-bred racehorse".

'Beautiful aeroplane'

"I think, for me, it's special because it was that boyhood dream," he said.

"It is still the only aircraft that can fly at twice the speed of sound

"It is a beautiful aeroplane to look at."

Mr Bannister, who was chief pilot from 1995 until 2003, now briefs people as they fly the simulator.

"The way I was brought up, when you are fortunate enough to do something special, you put something back," he said.