A group of British fans Concorde, the supersonic civil aircraft that marked the history of the industry, says it has gathered resources to the model fly again in 2019. The Concorde Club, created by former pilots, stewards and plane enthusiasts, said he 120 million pounds (about US $ 730 million) set aside for the plan to "return flight".
The group also plans to put another model of supersonic aircraft on permanent display in the center of London. The last flight of the Concorde, which can reach up to twice the speed of sound (or 2146 km / h), was in 2003.
The ongoing negotiations seeking to acquire or lease the two aircraft. Paul James, president of the Concorde Club, says that they plan to get the planes in France, but there is still no agreement.
"We were impressed by the amount of enthusiasm and people wanting to invest. The support shows how many people still admire the Concorde and want to see it flying again," said James.
The period in which operated from 1976 to 2003, the Concorde was the most glamorous airliner ever. "The aircraft we would like to put on the air is at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. And we also wanted to lease and restore a concorde British Airways for exhibition in London, close to the London Eye, but it was not possible, then we are looking in France and agree on a close to Orly airport, "he added.
After a restoration, the aircraft would be used for aviation shows, special events and charter flights.
Global icon
James said he was confident that the airplane can be ready for flight in 2019, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Concorde. The plan began after the group raise 40 million pounds (about US $ 240 million) to expose the jet on the River Thames in London, in the vicinity of the Ferris wheel London Eye.
"It's a global icon," said James. "All authorities were receptive to our idea to bring a Corcorde the river as a tourist attraction, and the London Eye agreed to share the pier of attraction."
The group of enthusiasts still need to secure permission from the enterprise planning, but James says the goal is to ride the attraction in 2017, before opening a similar exhibition in Paris.
The Concorde was retired in 2003, three years after an accident on the outskirts of Paris that left 113 dead. At the time, the supersonic plane caught fire shortly after takeoff from Charles de Gaulle airport.
After the disaster, the Concordes were taken out of operation for a year and, after a brief return, definitely retired in 2003. A French judge pointed out, after four years of investigation, that a piece of metal that had fallen before a Continental plane Airlines played a "direct" role in the accident.
Posteriomente, the French Justice withdrew the criminal charges against US airline, which has always denied responsibility for the disaster.
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