You may be interested to know that this year, 1999, all the British Airways Concorde crew have been supplied with HP 200LX computers. The uses are directly connected with the operation of the aircraft. The programs are written in MS Basic v.4.5 and supplied on a PCMCIA card. Programs are used to 1.) Check the engine condition by monitoring the exhaust gas temperature and comparing it to an ideal engine. 2.) Calculate a full loadsheet. 3.) Calculate the fuel flight plan, the fuel required for the entire sector. Perform in-flight checks of fuel burn relative to the plan. Calculate tactical situation to ensure safe diversion in the unlikely event of an engine failure. 4.) Calculate the refuel uplift and the contents of each of the 13 tanks for various fuel loads and fuel density. 5.) Calculate the position of the center of gravity in the event of onboard computer problems. 6.) Perform the take off calculation of limiting weight and the various speeds required.
The very competent HP 200LX has been well received by the crew and now forms an important part of the operation.
Ian V Kirby, Programmer and retired Concorde Flight Engineer IVK@btinternet.com