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.

‘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.’

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.