England to Australia Flight Arrives in Darwin
This is what I call solo long distance flying. Pretty much do it yourself from start to finish
Solo Flights around the World
Solo Flights around the World
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)
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)
solo....que?
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 $$s no doubt.
So she...and all the others did the Amy Johnson route.
Good on her (and them). Fantastic experience for all concerned.
But imho it aint SOLO, as in Amy, Hinkler, Chichester and many, many others.
NO ifs or buts re pax, crew wanting a jolly leg or whatever. ALONE. SOLO.
Had she hand flown, navigated, dodged the wx, planned, got clearances did running maintenance and etc all on her own then I'd say it was solo.
As it was...a great trip, plenty of back up and financial assistance, 2nd aircraft for any help, air to air pics and video (all good for a doco) Not a cheap trip, but the doco etc will recoup some $$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.
Josephfw: PM sent.
Just a small point of historical accuracy.
The ABC report is wrong when it says,
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-histo...ew-africa.html that will add color and clarity to this story.
CC
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.,
"This is where Amy Johnson touched down in 1930, so Darwin was the big moment for her.,
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-histo...ew-africa.html that will add color and clarity to this story.
CC
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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
Kaz
Maryborough Aero Club to honour Tiger Moth crash victims | The Courier
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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.
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.
No comparison...
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.
"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.
Janette Schönburg C150F G-AWAW 1980 UK to AU
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".
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.
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".
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.
Others...
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
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
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
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
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.
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, Tracey's motivational workshops are already planned.. 
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.
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.
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Ancient and Modern Stearmans,
gerry111 (your #6),
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),
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.
...She appears to favour flying from the rear seat too...
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...
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.
the kangaroo route...
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
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
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?
Has anyone found a photo or video yet of Tracey flying the Stearman solo?
