I'd like to just say that the production company did the best they could with the cards they were dealt. Fact.
I am 90% confident of the rest of this post, but not 100% and so it should not be taken as gospel.
They thought they would be filming a solo aviatrix journey, and so judged whether to get involved and the 'sale value' of a final film based on that (attractive solo female pilot story). Once it became clear that solo was no longer happening (and that they had no say in the matter), they had to make a choice:
1. Tell the real story (not so attractive to networks, low/zero resale value).
2. Fudge to keep it as attractive as possible (but without blatant misrepresentation) - in an effort to keep the chances of selling it alive.
Unfortunately, option two involves a lot of tight-rope walking - and inevitably affected the final production.