| The Concorde Has Landed! |
Dateline: 11/08/99
Hundreds of Huntsvillians took off work or skipped school to catch a glimpse of the supersonic jet landing at the Huntsville International Airport. It was the Concorde's first visit to Alabama. The Concorde only breaks the sound barrier over oceans and deserts to avoid sonic boom disturbances. Maximum cruising speed is 1,354 miles per hour. Passengers were served champagne and caviar in-flight. Even thought this is the Rocket City and space isn't a novelty for anyone around here, the Concorde created quite a stir.
In January, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation announced it would bring the Concorde to Huntsville as a fundraiser. Seats were sold for $6,545 and soon the 100 seats were sold to local residents. However, Air France had a few empty seats left for the Paris to New York to Huntsville trip to pick up the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. They asked the state school officials to fill the remaining seats with outstanding students from Madison County. Three lucky seniors were chosen based on academics (especially science, technology, math and French), extracurricular activities and community service. Those chosen were Ravaris Moore at Sparkman High School, Colleen Baum of Bob Jones High School, and Alana Greer of Grissom High School. They will be accompanied by Carolyn Eck, a math teacher from Florence and teacher of the year.
The planeload of Huntsville Hospital Foundation supporters left Saturday morning, November 6th for Paris, where they will spend 4 days, then head to London on the Eurostar "Chunnel" train and spend two days in London and then fly back to Huntsville on a commercial flight.
To show their appreciation of some good old Southern hospitality, Air France placed this full page ad in the Huntsville Times: "Merci, y'all. Merci beaucoup to the people of Huntsville for making us feel so welcome during Concorde's first trip to Alabama. Thanks and congratulations to Colleen Baum, Alana Greer and Ravaris Moore, the outstanding students who accompanied us on our journey. Our gratitude to the French Government Tourist Office, Sofitel Hotels, Alabama State Department of Education and Port of Huntsville for making this event possible. And a very special tip to the chapeau to Montclair Travel, Saint Louis for helping put it all together."
It was fun to watch the famous bird and live vicariously through those who had the good fortune to make the trip. The community shared another travel memory and grew closer together for having done so.
Air
France
Airline that flies Concordes. Site is in French!
Alabama State
Department of Education
Information on school system in Alabama, including news articles
about students and teacher on Concorde flight.
Bob Jones
High School
One student from this school was chose to fly on the Concorde.
Huntsville
International Airport
Complete information on airport where Concorde landed.
Huntsville Hospital
Foundation for this hospital brought Concorde to Huntsville.
Complete hospital information available.
Sofitel
Hotels
Worldwide luxury hotels including Paris, with online reservations
available.
