England to Australia Flight Arrives in Darwin

[Rotor Work]

Well done Tracey Curtis - Taylor:ok:

From ABC

Adventurer Tracey Curtis-Taylor's England-to-Australia solo flight a homage to aviation pioneer Amy Johnson - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-02/female-solo-flight-a-homage-to-aviation-pioneer-amy-johnson/7064324)

[outnabout]

This is an epic adventure, and I take my hat off to her.

But in all the photos and footage I have seen, there is two heads in the aircraft. I Am cynically questioning much of it was actually solo.

[Cloudee]

Agree outnabout. I just looked at her web site and any photos that show both cockpits show two heads. Solo is mentioned several times in the ABC report. I wonder what her definition of solo is?


For me, the guy that just flew his Searey around the world really did it solo.

[tail wheel]

Two crew? :confused:

vF7i0t0mBZM

[Stanwell]

She's had a few mentions in the past on this site and elsewhere re the authenticity of her claims.

p.s. A tip: Just don't park your chopper anywhere on an airfield when she's around. :E

[gerry111]

There's lots of photos and video available of Tracey Curtis-Taylor solo on the ground. But I have yet to find any of her solo in the air. Has anyone? She appears to favour flying from the rear seat too.

On CHANNEL NEWSASIA, 17th Dec 15 She was quoted thus:

"Up over the beach at 50 feet; over the desert that's a couple of hundred feet, over the temples of Bagan, it's absolutely epic flying. You're only a couple of hundred feet above the ground", she said.

Certainly quite an adventure.

[fujii]

People seem keen to cut down a tall poppy. Just because there are two heads it doesn't mean two pilots. One pilot means solo. In one story on line, she mentions that she sometimes takes sponsors and support crew for a ride. She can even remove one of the control columns and it's solo.

[Cloudee]

Gerry111, the Stearman is flown from the rear seat, maybe that's why she favours it. It's the seat with the starter button.

[Cloudee]

Fujji, the definition of solo is: "a thing done by one person unaccompanied". So if she is going to use the term solo perhaps she should fly alone?

[fujii]

Cloudee, if you take a non pilot friend for a flight, do you consider it dual?

[gerry111]

Thank you, Cloudee. I obviously have no familiarity with Boeing Stearmans, so was unaware that they are flown from the rear seat where the starter button is.

Fujii, your points are well made. And I agree with you.

But I remain fascinated that I can't find a video or photo of her flying alone.

I'm with Cloudee that a solo flight is always made unaccompanied.

[27/09]

fujii, I don't know about this flight but there is a fair bit of evidence for her "solo" Cape Town to London flight that she had significant planning and preparation support at each stop over as well on some legs having a lead aircraft to follow and or had another pilot on board to help out. Hardly what called be called solo.

No wonder there's a few sceptics.

I think this flight is being billed as recreating Amy Johnson's flight. To me that means as much as possible doing it with the same technology and methods as Amy used. I somehow suspect that hasn't happened on this flight. Re tracing the route might be a more appropriate description.

[josephfeatherweight]

For me, in this context, "solo" is more akin to Dick Smith's SOLO around the world flight in his helicopter - just him and his VH-DIK.
Good on her and all, but to me, this lady ain't "solo"...

[pulse1]

I thought that Amanda Harrison was attempting to beat her to Australia in a more appropriate aircraft, a Tiger Moth. She was intending to be virtually unsupported and definitely solo. However, her start keeps being delayed, I suspect because of sponsorship problems.

Captain Amanda J Harrison | Race2Darwin| Tigermoth (http://amandajharrison.com/)

[farefield]

I suppose it puts the original Amy Johnson achievement into perspective when we hear all the tribulations of the modern fliers.

[Stanwell]

In one word, farefield..
YEP!

[Dora-9]

[For me, in this context, "solo" is more akin to Dick Smith's SOLO around the world flight in his helicopter - just him and his VH-DIK.
Good on her and all, but to me, this lady ain't "solo"... ...and a cast of just how many in the background?

[josephfeatherweight]

...and a cast of just how many in the background?

Not many, not anywhere near as many as this lady, if I recall correctly.
I could be wrong... Has happened before...

[Traffic_Is_Er_Was]

In these days of GPS, sat phones, modern maps, satellite imagery, vastly increased infrastructure, relatively wide availability of SAR etc, I don't rate round the world trips much any more. Sure there might be some decent ocean crossings etc, but ferry pilots do them routinely, without all the hoo-haa. I reckon just about anyone with sufficient planning and backing could do it.

[Cloudee]

Fujji, when I take a non pilot friend for a flight I do not consider it dual. I log it as in command. I am not solo however, unless I fly by myself.

[27/09]

This is what I call solo long distance flying. Pretty much do it yourself from start to finish

Solo Flights around the World (http://www.soloflights.org/tait_text_e.html)

[dhavillandpilot]

As I've said on this forum before, there are people who do flights like this all the time without fanfare for a living.

Cliff Taits flights just show what can and has been done without the backup aircraft beside you

Before we get to wrapped up in this latest flight Google Flt Lt David Cyster who did the same flight SOLO in a Tiger Moth in the 70's

Having done this route twice 1993 and 2013 apart from some idoscricities in a few countries aviation has progress where every country has the same procedures, and all the problems with clearances are fix by using people such as Universal or White rose.

Notwithstanding I don't think I'd like to spend some 150 hours in the cockpit of a biplane without an autopilot, and certainly not at 1500 feet AGL (think engine failure)

[aroa]

If Tracy claims that she has done the UK -Oz solo then there should have only been ONE pob from start to finish. Right ?

NO ifs or buts re pax, crew wanting a jolly leg or whatever. ALONE. SOLO.

Had she hand flown, navigated, dodged the wx, planned, got clearances did running maintenance and etc all on her own then I'd say it was solo.

As it was...a great trip, plenty of back up and financial assistance, 2nd aircraft for any help, air to air pics and video (all good for a doco) Not a cheap trip, but the doco etc will recoup some $$s no doubt.

So she...and all the others did the Amy Johnson route.
Good on her (and them). Fantastic experience for all concerned.

But imho it aint SOLO, as in Amy, Hinkler, Chichester and many, many others.

[Dora-9]

Josephfw: PM sent.

[Checklist Charlie]

Just a small point of historical accuracy.

The ABC report is wrong when it says, "I'm feeling just a bit windblown, sunburnt and a bit punch drunk," a jubilant but weary Curtis-Taylor told assembled media as she stood in front of her aircraft in Darwin.

"This is where Amy Johnson touched down in 1930, so Darwin was the big moment for her.,

The current Darwin airport was not where Amy landed, in 1930 the Darwin Airport was at Parap and what is now Ross Smith Ave was the runway.

I suppose that is another one of those either minor inaccuracies that seem to regularly populate this story or maybe just the ABC reporter misunderstood what was being related to them.

There is a whole thread at http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/558368-lady-who-flew-africa.html that will add color and clarity to this story.

CC

[kaz3g]

The late John Fisher flew his Tiger from England to Australia but unfortunately perished in the same aircraft not long ago. He received an OAM in recognition of his efforts for charity.


Maryborough Aero Club to honour Tiger Moth crash victims | The Courier (http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/61870/maryborough-aero-club-to-honour-tiger-moth-crash-victims/)

Kaz

[International Trader]

Does this compare with people like Alex Henshaw in the 30s?
Single seat , London to Cape Town and back, no ground support crew, no comms.
Just he , in a single seat Mew Gull, an oversized extra oil tank fitted between his legs to beat the oil consumption problem and a truck inner tube filled with water.
Realized after take off that the oil tank between his legs gets extremely hot and later over the Med he realized that his Africa maps were left in the external locker.
He continued.
Now I call that solo.
If you get a chance to read the book, the photo of him being taken out of the cockpit says a lot. Still see it in my minds eye after 30 years.

[aroa]

IT . Correct. Tracy...2/10. Henshaw 10/10 with Gold Star.

"Flight of the Mew Gull"...and its occupant, to my mind was THE ultimate, most truly amazing SOLO flight of all time.
In terms of stamina, navigation and flying skills...never surpassed.

A treasured book along with "Sigh for a Merlin" No one shot Johnny, Alex H

Aviator Supreme. indeed.:ok::ok:

[cogwheel]

It may be of interest that this flight was undertaken back in 1980 by Miss Janette Schönburg, SOLO, in a Cessna 150, G-AWAW. She departed 50 years to the day after Amy Johnson, but due to weather and some mechanical issues she took somewhat longer than planned. There was a ceremony at Parap (the old aerodrome site) where a plaque was placed near the old hangar that was still there then.
Last time I visited there I could not find said plaque - may have gone to the museum?? Jan was hosted in DRW for some weeks by members of AWPA. The C150 was shipped back to the UK. She went on to command a 146 and other types before retiring to Austria. She wrote a book on the trip titled "She who Dares Succeeds".

:ok::ok:

From Wikipedia ....

* In the summer of 1980 a Cessna 150F was flown from London, England to Darwin, Australia in 32 stages by Janette Schönburg, a 27-year-old female pilot. Schönburg made the flight to commemorate the 50th anniversary of pioneering female aviator Amy Johnson's 1930 flight between the two cities. This aircraft, UK registration G-AWAW, was used for several years as a static display at the London Science Museum. In May 2010 it was donated to the Cessna 150-152 Club, and shipped to Florida where it is being restored by club members.

[aroa]

Nov 1969 BP Air Race to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1st flight to Oz by the Smith Bros and Bennett and Shiers in Vimy G-EAOU.

Auster AOP 9 Maj Mike Summerton-Raynor AAC. solo all the way. Was/is ?? at the Oakey Museum of Army Aviation.

Auster J/1N G-ARGT. Solo sections as owner and RAF chaps bailed out. Last solo bit..Singapore to Sydney. Under (long term) resto in Cairns as VH-EUD

Auster J/5P. G-AOHF solo, by himself..Not in the race, literally... left before the race and arrived later with a bag of commem. mail raising funds for the RAF Museum and trip cost. Now VH-EDF under long term resto in Gayndah ? Qld.
A very educational 2 month trip and serious "austerization" 101
Nothing broke.

3 Austers 1/2 way around the world, so they're not all bad as many folk are convinced they are. One just has to go with the flow and get to know it. You learn by doing.

And Micheal of the Sea Rey global oddessy...now THAT was a solo flight :ok:

[Checklist Charlie]

Whilst we are at it:

Freda Thompson O.B.E.flew her DH Moth Major UK - Australia in 1934.

I met and chatted with Freda many times at Royal Vic during the 70's, great times fondly remembered.

CC

[Stationair8]

Gavin Youl, ferried Jack Brabhams Cessna C180 from England to Australia in the mid 1960's after the finish of the Formula 1 season.


Another gentleman(Greg Frith?) flew his Cessna 206 and family home from the USA home to Australia the long way in the mid 1970's.

[dhavillandpilot]

So the end result is England to Australia genuinely SOLO is fairly common.

I guess it's just who you know as to the self publicity gained

[gerry111]

Dhavillandpilot, Tracey's motivational workshops are already planned.. :rolleyes:

The aviatrix that I'll always admire most was Sheila Hopkins, who's more commonly known as Sheila Scott. Her genuinely solo adventures in her Piper Commanche, G-ATOY were simply amazing.


And of course, pre GPS and Apple thingies.

[Stationair8]

Don't forget to include Max Conrad achievements in various Piper products.

[Stationair8]

Peter Norvill around the world in 1988.

[Danny42C]

gerry111 (your #6),
...She appears to favour flying from the rear seat too...
I did 60 hrs in the Stearman at Primary School in '41 with the USAAC. The stude always flew in the back seat (as it had little affect on the CoG if the instructor was in front or not - I think it was the same in the TM). Left to my own devices now, I would have gone up front solo every time, as there was no ASI in the back (that did not faze us: what you've never had, you never miss).

Cloudee (your #8),
...Gerry111, the Stearman is flown from the rear seat, maybe that's why she favours it. It's the seat with the starter button...
STARTER BUTTON ? All ours had a hand-cranked inertia starter wound up by a sweating mech under the blazing Florida sun - and I still recall the look of blistering contempt when the stude didn't "catch" the engine first time, and he had to do it again !

But of course ours only had a radial 220 hp Continental (fixed pitch prop), which seems to have been replaced here by a Wasp Junior (?) with all mod cons and a (two-speed prop ?) out of a scrap Vultee BT-13 (?)

Danny42C.

[aroa]

dh pilot ...right. many more solo flights go unrecorded as it was common practice for delivery flights of pommie built a/c to the colonies, as opposed to pack and ship, taking many months.

Big Boeing PT... many civilianized post war with removal of the inertia starter for electric start on the Conty 220 and other engines in use, Jake, Lyco etc

Up front one up??
Big red Placard in the front cockpit says Solo from Rear Seat Only

as per DH 82

[gerry111]

Tracey Curtis-Taylor arrived "solo" at YSSY today in her 'Spirit of Artemis', no doubt well sponsored by 'Artemis Investments' as is painted on the fin of the Stearman. (The Channel 7 footage of her landing there looked to me like there was a "pax" in the front seat.) The ABC showed an underside photo of her near Uluru banking towards the rock. That rather conveniently hid whether she was flying solo or not. I would have thought that the more appropriate photo would have been a 'thumbs up' with no one in the front cockpit.


Has anyone found a photo or video yet of Tracey flying the Stearman solo?

[On eyre]

ABC News tonight definitely showed two on board on arrival Sydney.
They also studiously avoided using the words solo or alone. Go figure.

[cbradio]

Female pilot single-handedly flies around the world


Thats the ABC online headline.

[Checklist Charlie]

Strewth, now she's done it with only one hand.

So says the ABC


Female pilot single-handedly flies around the world


CC

[Runaway Gun]

Whilst I agree with the majority of poster's feelings on here, especially that it's all done easier nowadays, it is still nonetheless an awesome achievement t that most of us may never get to attempt.

Also, my experience dealing with the media convinces me that the incorrect reporting is most likely because of the reporters or editors involved.

[Flyin]

As many have stated, it wasn't really "SOLO".

Quote from BBC - "Some early reports suggested it was a solo flight - Ms Curtis-Taylor was the only pilot to fly the vintage bi-plane, but she had a support team of engineers travelling with her in a separate aircraft, as well as a camera crew, who would sometimes sit in with her."

Tracey Curtis-Taylor finishes UK to Australia biplane flight - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35271182)

So regardless of a support aircraft with engineers and another POB, still a great achievement.

[gerry111]

Social media has identified that the front seat "passenger" may always be a highly experienced Stearman pilot who also restores them. (That includes this particular aircraft.) His name is perhaps Edvald and he comes from Austria?

[Centaurus]

I don't rate round the world trips much any more. Maybe you don't.

But a photo of the cockpit of the Stearman she was piloting showed there was no artificial horizon - only a Turn and Bank Indicator.

That really surprised me especially as on a long trip like that she was bound to be caught occasionally in mist and in less than VMC with no visible horizon forcing her to fly on basic primary panel instruments AND looking at her instruments through goggles. That takes excellent instrument flying ability with no AH.

I reckon CASA should give her an Honorary Australian ATPL for her dedication and instrument flying skill. :ok:

[gerry111]

I'd like to first see the panel in the front cockpit, though.

[training wheels]

CASA is getting in on the act it seems with promoting this 'solo' flight in its Flight Safety publication.

CASA will now need to redefine what it means by the term 'solo' because there are definitely two bodies in the airplane from what we can see in the video.

Stearman solo success | Flight Safety Australia (http://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2016/01/stearman-solo-success/)

[dhavillandpilot]

CASA promoting the success of the flight.

Can I ask what is the minimums for VFR for aircraft flying on the UK register.

From her own words in an interview she was down to 50feet over Bulgaria then about to hit a fog bank. Doesn't sound very VFR to me!!!!!

So I ask how can CASA condone this type of flying?

I rest my case

[The name is Porter]

I would like a 'like' button. I like posts 49, 48 & 47. Oh, and I'd like a 'don't like' button, I don't like post 46.

[Aussie Bob]

My like button would be for Tracey herself. Not only has she completed the flight, she also arranged sponsorship to offset the cost and is going on to earn more from the public speaking circuit.

Congratulations Tracey, a splendid effort. I hope it continues on to earn you a heap of money too. Hopefully a load more than the average winging pilots earns.

[Checklist Charlie]

CAsA and its precursors have been trying to get the categorisation of operations right for how many years, now they are struggling with what constitutes a 'solo' flight to the point of rewriting the definition.

dhavillandpilot, I think you will find the aircraft is registered in the US.

As for Air Safety Australia, does anybody actually read it?

This whole flight seems to be riddled with PR half truths, historical inaccuracies and the selective deletion of any of the real facts.

CC

[Aussie Bob]

PR half truths, historical inaccuracies and the selective deletion of any of the real facts.A great description of the news media in general there Charlie.

[27/09]

Some interesting pics here Pilot Tracey Curtis-Taylor bidding to emulate Amy Johnson hits a parked helicopter | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3201498/Woman-pilot-bidding-emulate-Amy-Johnson-hits-parked-helicopter.html)

Amy Johnson took 19 days, Tracey's trip took three months. I wonder why it took so long?

[gerry111]

"Not only has she completed the flight, she also arranged sponsorship to offset the cost and is going on to earn more from the public speaking circuit."


Hopefully that won't involve any elderly, financially unsophisticated, female supporters buying complicated financial products from Artemis Investments.

[Tee Emm]

Oh, and I'd like a 'don't like' button, I don't like post 46.


Why "Don't Like?" Post 46 makes a valid point about flying half-way around the world without the aid of an AH. Takes flying skill as well as guts. Best of luck to the pilot.

[Checklist Charlie]

Why do you need an AH to actually fly VFR?


CC:ugh:

[Judd]

Why do you need an AH to actually fly VFR?
Judging from what the lady told the media about her cross-country (literally) flight England to Australia, she was in IMC for some of the way. She might have planned VFR but it would have been a meteorological miracle if she was VMC all the way. The moment you lose a visual horizon whether for two minutes or two hours and you don't have an AH, then for most VFR pilots it's all over Red Rover.
Very few GA pilots can be bothered to assiduously practice flying in a simulator just using the Turn and Balance Indicator. Reason being they would crash too many times and look real silly. For same reason why airline pilots rarely fly without having their flight director on. It is too scary to switch it off.

[27/09]

Do you not think there might have been an app like Pocket Horizon on the iPad in the photo in this article. Pilot lands in Sydney after epic journey from Britain in 1942 aircraft - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-09/female-pilot-lands-in-sydney-after-epic-journey-from-britain/7078772)

[ChrisJ800]

In UK you can cloud fly a glider without an AH. Its not too hard flying in cloud with T&S, compass, vario, ASI and altimeter - I did it several times there. Yes the AH makes it a doddle but short excursions are no problems. If you read old gliding books some height records were made in CB's without an AH. Icing or structural failure or a mid air collision meant we had a parachute as backup though.

Good achievement by her but wish it was in a Gypsy Moth not an American trainer!

[Checklist Charlie]

Flying VFR means remaining in VMC or at least that is what I was taught.

I also found it to be a sound practice in the real world as well.

So I say again, flying VFR means remaining in VMC and therefore you don't need an AH.


CC

[The name is Porter]

Hopefully a load more than the average winging pilots earns

Hey Bob, when you say 'winging' pilots, you mean fixed wing right? Not rotary?

[Mike Flynn]

Looks like she is up for an OBE but the UK main flying magazine forum has locked discussion on her gong and suggestions she cheated.I guess advertising money counts more. Good job this site is here.

Frankly in my opinion Tracy Curtis Taylor has taken womens flying achievments to the same level as athletes taking steroids.

Having a flight instructor on board is OK for a reality tv show but she led the UK and global press to belive it was a solo flight.

[Checklist Charlie]

Looks like she is up for an OBE

According to the History and Nostalgia thread in this case the OBE stands for Other Buggers Efforts.

CC

[Captain Dart]

It hasn't changed in sixty years. An old 'Goon Show' joke: The 'Danger of Work' bell goes off in a Labour Exchange:

Willium Mate (Sellers): 'I've got to be careful. I'm abaht to celebrate fifty years wivart work'.

Exchange manager (Secombe): 'Fifty years unemployed? Good heavens! Fill in this form for your OBE!'

[Stanwell]

I can understand why she chose a Stearman for her carefully choreographed fraud.
There's simply not enough space for advertising on a broomstick and pointy hat.

[spinex]

Seems she has decked it, without serious injury although the Stearman looks a little sad. Fortunately the publicity seems to have backed away from the "solo" claims, bit embarrassing to explain the 2 p.o.b otherwise.:hmm:

"I am stricken to announce that my flight across the USA has been cut short following a crash in the Arizona Desert. Firstly, I am fine and unharmed, as is Ewald Gritsch who was with me. I would like to thank everyone for their best wishes and support.
The accident happened a couple of days ago as we were flying to Phoenix in Arizona after refuelling and taking off from Winslow. The cause seems to be a combination of high density altitude (Winslow has an elevation of 5000ft above sea level) and a partial loss of power at a height of about 50ft after take off. The Spirit of Artemis then started to sink which was not a great scenario with power lines directly ahead but thankfully there was open desert to the south. I did a gentle left turn and then levelled off. It hit the ground and rolled forward about twenty feet but then the right wheel struck a dense sage root mound which tore off the right landing gear and threw the plane onto its left wing. It then cartwheeled tail over the nose in a cloud of sand and dust. The damage is extensive but the impact was absorbed by the wings and the airframe and the cockpit remained intact. The Stearman is a famously strong aeroplane but my admiration for it is now absolutely boundless when I consider the wider implications of what could have happened.
I am devastated by all of this and profoundly sorry that I won't be able to finish the flight, at least not this year. I have been overwhelmed by messages of support from Boeing Company (https://web.facebook.com/pages/Boeing-Company/115345968480189) and indeed the whole general aviation community here in the US. Amazingly, I have even been offered another Stearman to complete the flight but I have such a deep attachment to the Spirit of Artemis and we have come such a long way together that I cannot contemplate doing it in anything else.
The immediate plan of action is to ship the fuselage back to 3G Classic Aviation in Hungary where it was originally restored and start the rebuild immediately. We had a spare engine on standby in case there was a problem and there is already a set of new wings. At a very long shot the Stearman might even be ready for the Farnborough Air Show in July which would be fantastic as this is where it will be based in future.
The bigger plan is to bring it back to Winslow early next year and pick up the journey where we left off but with more time to do major aviation events like Oshkosh in addition to the wider outreach programme. On the day of the accident I had experienced some of the best flying I have ever known over some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery I have ever seen - the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley and the Valley of the Gods. It all has an epic grandeur which is almost out of this world.
My only desire now is to get the Spirit of Artemis flying again and to bring it back to America. My thanks as ever to Boeing, Artemis Investment Management and my other partners for their unwavering support.
The journey continues..."

[triton140]

Looks a mess, but I guess it'll buff out ...

[ChrisJ800]

High density altitude and a loaded plane will get you. Her website at Tracey Curtis Taylor - Aviatrix, Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker (http://www.birdinabiplane.com/) says it was the final leg of a circumnavigation but havent heard much of the flight from Oz to USA. My guess is in first class?

[gerry111]

ChrisJ800, Please.. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good story.

At other times, most sane people would just walk away from the wreckage in the desert. But not Tracey! Backed by those financial wizards at Artemis, she might possibly get it flying again by July for Farnborough?

I suggest that she drill out the identification plate and transfer it to the next 'Spirit Of Artemis'.

(P.S. I wonder when Ewald Gritsch called out: "Taking over". Or is he just there as her hairdresser?) :E

[megan]

And world circumnavigation? How did it get across Lake Pacific? Can puddle jumpers do that?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/7418126-3x2-700x467.jpg

[gerry111]

Megan,

As Tracey's clearly so full of it, perhaps there's also space there for lots of Avgas? :ok:

[cowl flaps]

Hot, High & Heavy

She said: ‘It seemed to accelerate normally down the runway and climbed normally initially but within a very short space of time it became obvious we weren’t going anywhere.
‘It wouldn’t climb. It never got over about 50ft. It was just a choice of a gradual turn and put the thing down and then it went into a bush.’
It did a full flip and ended up the right way up. The aeroplane is just destroyed

[Lead Balloon]

Hot, high and heavy and...

... the mixture wasn't leaned enough for a take off at that density altitude (would be my wild guess).

[kaz3g]

I had an interesting experience departing Pooncarrie at Easter. It was quite hot and it was awfully bumpy so I climbed through the inversion to 7500' ...the AUSTER has an 0-320...full rich.

I had switched to the belly tank when the engine started to lose power so I turned on the electric pump but got no real improvement. Went back to the main and the power loss got worse. The engine sounded like my old FJ with the choke right out.

I started through the rest of FCMOST and leaned the mixture...instant return to normal. Never had it do that on climb before so learned something new.

Kaz

[gerry111]

Kaz,

Why not talk to the people at APS regarding how Lycoming air cooled piston engines really work? That knowledge certainly wasn't available when you and I were learning to fly!

Jabawocky can help here. :)

[Hempy]

oooh, another LOP mention? Where's yr right when you need him?

Watch out for burnt clys!

[Lead Balloon]

Actually, leaning for 'optimal' take-off power at high density altitudes still ends up at a mixture rich of peak.

As the APS people say: It's not about how hard you run your engine. It's about how you run your engine hard. :ok:

[truthinbeer]

So can the rest of the contingent along for this escapade also claim to have flown solo? OBE's?

[Stanwell]

Well, I'd hope so - because they only occupied one seat each.

You see, I'm 'flying solo' right now - sitting in my seat at the controls of a temperamental computer.
It could crash at any moment.

The missus has gone to have her hair done.
Son is off chasing that Welsh tart.
Daughter is .. god knows where.

I expect no awards - just wish me luck.

[Clare Prop]

Re. crossing the Pacific: from the ABC "The biplane will now be shipped to America and prepped to fly across the United States as part of Boeing's centenary celebrations".

There is absolutely no comparison between this publicity seeking woman and her backup crew and Amy Johnson or others like Beryl Markham and Amelia Earhart. She is not pioneering or risking anything or pushing any boundaries.

The constant mention of the sponsors reminds me of cat food ads (Whiskas! Whiskas!) and makes me wonder if this crash was a publicity stunt.

[Squawk7700]

http://cdn.avweb.com/media/newspics/280/stearmancrash.jpg

British Pilot Crashes During U.S. Transcontinental Flight - AVweb flash Article (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/British-Pilot-Crashes-During-US-Transcontinental-Flight-226259-1.html)

Well that didn't end well... no mention of injuries so I assume she / they got out ok.

[Checklist Charlie]

It appears people are starting to take a more critical look at the claims being made.

After Arizona desert crash, critics of British pilot say they want the truth behind famous flights | National Post (http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/after-arizona-desert-crash-critics-of-british-pilot-say-they-want-the-truth-behind-famous-flights)

CC

[F.Nose]

makes me wonder if this crash was a publicity stunt.

Oh!....now she is a stunt woman? :eek:

[ChrisJ800]

Well I guess you are alone in the cockpit in a dual cockpit biplane. My only Tigermoth flight I was alone in the front cockpit and did half the flying. The guy behind who owned the plane did the take off and landing though!

[gerry111]

Thanks for the link, Checklist Charlie.


From Tiger Moth pilot, Amanda Harrison:

"Let's say that some people develop a particularly close network of high net worth men who seem happy to fund her adventures."

Ouch!

[GQ2]

[QUOTE=International Trader;9226833] POST 27.
Does this compare with people like Alex Henshaw in the 30s?
'...... in a single seat Mew Gull, an oversized extra oil tank fitted between his legs to beat the oil consumption problem and a truck inner tube filled with water.
Realized after take off that the oil tank between his legs gets extremely hot....'

No idea where you got this information from....????
The capacity of 'XF's oil system was increased by the addition of a specially-made saddle-tank that fitted over the front of the engine, and in place of a section of the front upper cowling. It was also intended to cool the oil. A further two pannier tanks were fitted right behind this, both joined to a single, high-level filler for the whole dry-sump system. The original oil-tank remained behind the lower firewall.
The tank that fitted over and around the pilots lower legs was an extra fuel tank, added as a last-ditch mod' to achieve the required longer route legs. So no, it wouldn't have been heated by the engine.
Drinks were stored in Thermos flasks - the a/c is so tiny there would be no room for a 'truck inner-tube'.
All these modifications for the Cape flight were carried-out by Jack Cross.

[havick]

I still don't see what the achievement is?

I don't have tall poppy syndrome talking here, but ferry pilots make trips like this in clapped out aircraft without any support. Please correct me if I'm wrong?

[Stanwell]

No idea where the information came from?
Try Alex Henshaw being quoted in Aeroplane Monthly from quite some years back.
My reference material is now all packed in boxes in a container, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

[International Trader]

GQ2,

I did not intend to present myself as an expert on the aircraft, nor diminish the achievements of the lady flier ( whatever they may be) .

Just wanted to express my respect ( awe) for an aviator/ adventurer that I admire and a better man than I.

My recollections , as I mentioned, were from a book that I read 30 years ago.

It is remarkable that I still remember anything about the book .

Recall nothing of "Handling The Big Jets" or "Aerodynamics For Naval Aviators" ( poor storyline obviously).

My wife often points out that I have trouble remembering the day of the week (and often what she has just said).


I would have gladly pulled out my copy of the book and cross checked my facts but, I loaned it to someone and he liked so much that he never returned it (:{:mad::{).


Now, if you have a copy or a book on the Gull aircraft, I'd be glad to borrow them to check my facts .

No bearing on the man's achievements ( nor diminishes my respect) even if I my recollections are completely wrong.

Also remember being pretty impressed by the aircraft but, I had better not go trying to remember why, lest I be wrong again.

[megan]

I can confirm,
Oil capacity and cooling increased by special cowling saddle tank
The main fuselage fuel tank was enlarged and extended into the cockpit
Emergency fuel tank was constructed over the pilots legs
Two soup thermos flasks were installed behind the cockpit