Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)

[Mike Flynn]

I mentioned some weeks ago I had an email from her lawyers threatening legal action regarding my posts on here.

1. I am a barrister at Matrix Chambers specialising in media and information law, including the
law of internet-related harassment and data protection. I write to you on behalf of Tracey
Curtis-Taylor.
2. As you are aware, Ms Curtis-Taylor is an aviator and adventurer. In 2013 she flew nearly
10,000 miles in a 1942 open cockpit Boeing Stearman, the Spirit of Artemis, from Cape
Town to Goodwood. The flight was inspired by and in tribute to Lady Mary Heath, the first
person to fly solo from the Cape to the UK in 1928. In late 2015/early 2016 she flew from
the UK to Australia, inspired by Amy Johnson’s epic solo flight in 1930. Further information
is available on her website at www.birdinabiplane.com.
3. As a result of her flying endeavours, Ms Curtis-Taylor has received the Light Aircraft
Association’s Woodhams Trophy in November 2014, the Air League Framed Address in
May 2014 and 2016, and is to receive to the Honourable Company of Air Pilots Master’s
Medal later this year.
4. The purpose of this letter is:
a. to put you on notice of my client’s claims for misuse of private information,
harassment and breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 against you arising
principally from postings made by you under the pseudonym “Jay Sata” from about
April 2016 and continuing to date on the Professional Pilots Rumour Network
(“PPRuNe”) at www.pprune.org (although she also understands that you have made
similar statements elsewhere, including via email and to the media); and
b. to request that you take such steps as are necessary to remove the posts
complained of, to desist from harassing my client and to cease processing her
personal data with immediate effect.
In the event that you do not comply with the requests made in this letter, you will leave
my client no option but to consider legal proceedings against you in order to vindicate
her rights, including but not limited to seeking interim injunctive relief against you.
Matters complained of
5. As noted above, my client’s complaints arise principally from posts made by you under the
pseudonym Jay Sata on the PPRuNe forum, specifically at www.pprune.org/privateflying/

I replied stating I am a retired journalist and asking a couple of questions regarding her claims in the global media.

I have not heard a word from them but do have some further questions.These are points I will be raising if her lawyers wish to progress their threats.

As Tracey and Ewald are complaining of being so misunderstood, perhaps they could clarify and show some scans of the relevant pages of both their logbooks?

1. Was Ewald also logging the time, therefore legally there as an instructor (otherwise he wouldn’t be allowed to log time). Not solo, not even ‘sole’ – but dual. What did Tracey log?

2. If Ewald didn’t log the time at all, this ties in with the official line. What did Tracey then log? Hopefully not solo.

3. Perhaps Tracey logged P1, not solo – and Ewald logged nothing – this would be correct with regards to the story.

The Spirit of Artemis saga is now getting very complicated with HCAP describing Ewald as co-pilot and Ewald insisting he wasn’t.

Plus the Air League's Terry Holloway revealing his organisation and the Honourable Company Of Air Pilots
knew the UK to Sydney flights were just a reality tv show in the making and not a true solo emulation of Amy Johnson's epic flight.

On top of that we have yet to see evidence of any substance to her 'Outreach' programne.