Brian Walpole
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Captain Brian Walpole OBE led the Concorde fleet for British Airways since the beginning of the supersonic era, and was the mastermind of its commercial success.
The career of Captain Brian Walpole is second to none in the history of post-war aviation. Not only has he flown the world's only supersonic jet airliner for twelve years, he commanded the fleet and also ran its commercial operations as General Manager Concorde. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of British Airways Concorde operations from marketing and advertising to constant control of the fleet's day to day operations.
Captain Walpole started his career in aviation by joining the RAF in 1952. He served as an operational fighter squadron pilot, flying Meteors and was also a member of the Fighter Command formation acrobatic team, giving displays all over Europe. In 1956 he joined BOAC later to merge with BEA and become British Airways. Initially First Officer on the Argonaut Fleet he was made first training co-pilot in BOAC and in 1971 was promoted to command becoming Fleet Captain of the 707 Fleet in 1972.
In 1975 he commanded the 707 aircraft for the Royal Tour to the Far East which Her Majesty the Queen undertook and a year later transferred to the Concorde Fleet. In 1977, he commanded the Concorde which flew the Queen from Barbados to London and the first supersonic commercial service from London to New York. His achievements were recognised in 1978 when he was awarded the Britannia Trophy, presented by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, for his work on the launch of the Concorde New York service.
He was promoted in 1982 to General Manager Concorde Division, British Airways and during the eighties had the privilege of commanding this unique and prestigious aircraft on which so many international VIP's have travelled.
His achievements in aviation were again recognised in 1983 when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and two years later he was granted the Freedom of the City of London.
In 1988 he became an Officer in the Order of the British Empire in The Queen's Birthday Honours List.
