I didn't pass up my Concorde moment

Paul Mindus (My Concorde moments) recalls with regret that he once passed up a chance to fly on Concorde, but I certainly didn’t.

Former Reuterian Jack Gee who died a few months back and who was one of the nicest people I’ve met, ‘phoned me in July 1975 in Paris where we were both based, and said: “How would you like a free round-trip flight from Paris to Rio de Janeiro aboard Concorde for a weekend?“ 

Jack had long left Reuters and was then stringing for lots of publications, including if I’m not mistaken, Flight International. He had plenty of aviation industry contacts. Concorde was still going through its flight trials and they needed real passengers to test weight and movement aboard, but also to allow cabin crews some practical in-flight experience before the supersonic aircraft began its commercial flights.

Since I would not be writing a story, Reuters had no objections. So off I went at Mach 2 while the cabin crew practiced serving spectacular meals and non-stop champagne. I got a nice diploma which I can’t find, but I did keep the safety instructions, shown here.

On the ground, I stayed with my old friend and former bureau chief in Israel, Mike Arkus, then the chief correspondent in Brazil. It was tough touring all those beaches! ■