Well I proposed the motion to rescind and was pleased to do so. I was
surprised to see Tracey at the AGM but she gave a fairly impassioned
response which might have swayed a lot of those actually present. The proxy
votes ensured the motion was passed.
This is what I said in proposing the motion -
"Like many of their contemporaries who blazed the aviation trails, flying
with uncertainty into the unknown, courage was a foremost requisite, for the
aviation pioneering trail is uncompromising showing no mercy to the feckless
or faint-hearted. Amy Johnson and Lady Mary Heath possessed what it took to
become pioneers, deservedly earning recognition amongst aviation's
greatest."
In the post war years women like Sheila Scott and Judith Chisholm have
earned our admiration with their long distance flights. Finally, in more
recent times, Polly Vacher has achieved many awe inspiring trips around the
globe.
All these women flew solo, alone and with no chase aircraft or experienced
pilot with them.
Unlike Tracey Curtis-Taylor with her high powered
PR team and sponsors.
The LAA awards committee were taken in by the hype and, in good faith,
awarded her the Bill Woodhams trophy for 2014. An award to recognise feats
of navigation. This was no feat of navigation worthy of recognition.
I propose that the award be rescinded and her name struck from the records
of the LAA.
I think this saga will continue.