On March 2, 1969 , with André Turcat at the helm, Concorde took off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport . During the cold war, when Americans and Soviets were in fierce competition in the air and in space, Franco-British cooperation managed to impose its majestic supersonic. Although its technical prowess was unanimously hailed, and the « big bird » was admired throughout the world, the economic constraints lead this formidable adventure to commercial failure. Half a century after its take-off, Concorde no longer takes to the skies ; however, it continues to make aviation enthusiasts dream and remains, for Toulouse residents, the symbol of the consecration of their city as the world capital of aeronautics.