Concorde Chief Pilot Mike Bannister Inspires Young Aviation Enthusiasts in Hong Kong

For a young aviation enthusiast, Concorde may first be a silhouette: a slender fuselage, delta wings and its distinctive drooping nose. This gathering offered a chance to look beyond that familiar outline and hear about the aircraft from a captain who flew it.

Meet Mike Bannister: a connection to Concorde history

Mike Bannister served as British Airways’ Chief Concorde Pilot. The airline’s historical record also names him as captain of BA2 from New York JFK to London Heathrow on 24 October 2003, its final commercial Concorde flight. His experience connects the aircraft’s story to the people who operated it.

At the HKPAPA and HONCAP gathering, Captain Bannister shared experiences of flying Concorde, technical challenges and anecdotes involving famous passengers and dignitaries. He also encouraged young members to pursue their interest in aviation.

Concorde in context: more than a speed record

British Airways records Concorde’s cruising speed at approximately Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, with a typical London–New York journey of around three and a half hours. Its record New York–London crossing took 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds on 7 February 1996. That exceptional flight should be distinguished from a normal scheduled journey.

Those figures invite questions that reach beyond speed. What engineering made such an aircraft possible? What preparation did its crews need? How did different aviation disciplines work together? For young readers, these are useful starting points for exploring the people and knowledge behind an aircraft.

Passing experience to the next generation

HKPAPA’s community brings young people into contact with aviation professionals and perspectives beyond the classroom. Encounters like this give aviation history a human voice, connecting an interest in aircraft with the experiences of those who flew them.

Our thanks to Captain Mike Bannister for sharing his experience, to HONCAP for jointly making the gathering possible, and to the young members and guests who took part. A talk can be the beginning of a longer learning journey: reading further, asking questions and continuing to explore aviation.