A Supersonic Career: A Conversation With Jean Pinet, Concorde Test Pilot
Concorde test pilot Jean Pinet speaks with Robert Sumwalt, executive director of the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Over the course of its lifespan, the Concorde broke the sound barrier tens of thousands of times. But in 1969, Jean Pinet became the first pilot – ever – to push the Concorde to supersonic speeds.
Pinet joined the Concorde program in 1965, when the aircraft was still in its prototyping phase. His final flight came some 20 years later in April 1985, after playing a key role in testing the flight handling of the Concorde and participating in customer crew training. He was one of just four French test pilots to fly the iconic aircraft.
Pinet recently sat down with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for an exclusive interview about his career, education and experiences aboard the Concorde. In his conversation with Robert Sumwalt, executive director of Embry-Riddle's Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety, Pinet offers rare insight into the fastest commercial airliner in history.
Pinet joined the Concorde program in 1965, when the aircraft was still in its prototyping phase. His final flight came some 20 years later in April 1985, after playing a key role in testing the flight handling of the Concorde and participating in customer crew training. He was one of just four French test pilots to fly the iconic aircraft.
Pinet recently sat down with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for an exclusive interview about his career, education and experiences aboard the Concorde. In his conversation with Robert Sumwalt, executive director of Embry-Riddle's Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety, Pinet offers rare insight into the fastest commercial airliner in history.