Life of a Concorde Pilot

From The Orphanage to The Edge of Space

John Tye

$49.99

Paperback

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English

Miscellaneous
01 March 2026

Memoirs; Disability: social aspects; Aerospace & air transport industries; Aviation skills & piloting; Aircraft: general interest

John Tye's job at British Airways was supposed to be only temporary, a way for him to pass the summer before starting university. Instead, it would kickstart a forty-six-year career in aviation and take him all over the world.

Told in an irrepressible and infectious style, Life of a Concorde Pilot is the story of how, despite a somewhat turbulent start to life in a Middlesex orphanage, John would go on to fly the world's only supersonic airliner. A true insight to the life of an airline pilot, with many amusing anecdotes along the way, it follows his ups and downs from his career on the ground at BA to flying with Dan Air and then back to BA, through to Covid and his reluctant retirement at the end of 2022. Full of the fascinating details only a pilot can give, this is a memorable journey to the edge of space and beyond.

AUTHOR: John Tye joined BA in 1976 on the lowest clerical grade; 46 years later he retired from as a former Concorde pilot and Senior Training captain, one of only 134 pilots who flew Concorde for BA. He also flew many other aircraft across his career, including Airbus, and has been very involved with children's charity, Dreamflight, for over 20 years.

85 illustrations

By: John Tye
Imprint: Miscellaneous
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781803999784
ISBN 10: 1803999780
Publication Date: 01 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

JOHN TYE joined BA in 1976 on the lowest clerical grade; 46 years later he retired as a former Concorde pilot and Senior Training captain, one of only 134 pilots who flew Concorde for BA. He also flew many other aircraft across his career, including Airbus, and has been very involved with children's charity, Dreamflight, for over 20 years.

Reviews for Life of a Concorde Pilot: From The Orphanage to The Edge of Space

‘Nicely written and well illustrated, John Tye’s autobiography blends private life and professional flying career – including a fascinating, detailed account of flying Concorde – in fine style.’ -- Philip Whiteman, Editor, <i>Pilot</i> magazine