David Davenport from Transmag recently graced the BAe Concorde Hub Live Maintenance Event as a guest speaker, presenting innovative solutions for arc flash protection, detection, and mitigation. The event was a grand gathering, with over 50 delegates from major industries in attendance.
The day was filled with engaging activities, including a delightful lunch generously sponsored by Powell Industry. This company shares a long-standing and significant working relationship with Transmag. Attendees also enjoyed a tour of the magnificent Concorde, a treat for all present.
This event was a sentimental reunion for David Davenport, who played a crucial albeit small role in the Concorde Reflight Project. This project was initiated after the tragic accident on July 25, 2000, when a rogue piece of steel on the runway led to the death of all 109 passengers on board the Concorde. The accident, caused by a tire blowout and subsequent fuselage fire, prompted a redesign of the aircraft. The reflight featured a new fuselage design, a novel type of cable harnessing with hermetically sealed interconnections, and a specially developed high-level anti-combustible hydraulic fuel.
David fondly recalls working with two teams of exceptionally skilled technicians and engineers from Air France and Filton BAe. Despite facing challenges from stringent standards bodies, predominantly from Air France, the teams navigated through extensive paperwork, evaluations, test results, and more to achieve the necessary improvements and approvals.
Reflecting on this episode, David considers it a highlight of his illustrious career. The Concorde, which delighted passengers from its inaugural flight in 1969 until its final journey in 2003, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination. With ticket prices from London to New York around £8000 each, the Concorde represented the pinnacle of luxury air travel.
Today, the BAe Concorde Museum, located at Filton, welcomes the public to explore and relive the extraordinary achievements of the Concorde. It stands as a fascinating venue that seamlessly blends imagination with historical accomplishments, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the marvel of aviation history.