How Bridgend's Morien Morgan became the Welsh father of Concorde.

Morien Morgan, a brilliant Welsh engineer, made history. He was the driving force behind the Concorde supersonic jet. Many people called him "Dai Supersonic." Others know him as the "Welsh father of Concorde."

Morgan was born in Bridgend in 1912. He studied at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. In 1935, he joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE). There he specialized in aircraft control and stability. His genius helped design Britain's Spitfire fighter.

The Supersonic Vision

After World War II, focus shifted to civilian aircraft. In 1956, Morgan chaired a key committee. This was the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC). STAC investigated faster-than-sound passenger travel. Morgan strongly believed this project was possible.

Britain lacked the necessary resources to proceed alone. France was also developing its own jet plans. The two nations signed a treaty in 1962. They agreed to pool their money and knowledge. This began the joint Anglo-French Concorde project.

Engineering and Diplomacy

Morgan was instrumental in the plane's design. He helped choose the elegant swept-back delta wing. This design was crucial for supersonic flight. The aircraft also featured a unique "droop" nose. This gave pilots better visibility for landings. Morgan once said the shape was God's intention for flight.

His greatest role was uniting the teams. He brought together French and British engineers. They overcame political and cultural differences. They even worked across metric and imperial systems. This cooperative spirit made the technical success possible.

Construction of two prototypes began in 1964. Concorde 002 was built in Filton, near Bristol. The revolutionary aircraft first flew in 1969. Test pilot Brian Trubshaw flew the British prototype. Commercial service began in January 1976. Concorde could fly London to New York in three hours. This was faster than a rifle bullet.

Concorde's Enduring Legacy

Only 14 commercial Concorde aircraft were built. The project faced many significant challenges. Spiraling costs and high fuel consumption hurt sales. The biggest issue was the disruptive sonic boom. This noise led to bans on overland supersonic flight. The aircraft was limited to oceanic routes. This restricted its commercial viability for Airbus and British Airways.

In 2003, both airlines retired their fleets. The final flight was in November 2003. Despite this, the British public voted Concorde their favorite design.

The Supersonic Revival

Morgan's vision is seeing a modern revival. Today, companies pursue new supersonic passenger travel. Boom Technology is developing the Overture jet. This aircraft is designed to cruise at Mach 1.7. It is expected to enter service around 2029. NASA is also working on the X-59 QueSST. This project aims to significantly reduce the sonic boom.

Regulatory hurdles remain the main challenge. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is creating new noise standards. However, the US prohibition on overland supersonic flight remains. New technology must solve the sonic boom problem. Morgan's work set the stage for this new era.

Sir Morien Morgan died in 1978. His legacy is one of technical achievement. He showed that supersonic commercial flight was possible. His work continues to inspire the future of high-speed travel. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.