Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 44
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back to real role models, Shaesta Waiz, who was born in a refugee camp and emigrated to the US, is about to leave Embry-Riddle on a solo round the world flight.
Afghan pilot Shaesta Waiz takes flight for women - Montreal - CBC News
Afghan pilot Shaesta Waiz takes flight for women - Montreal - CBC News

Thread Starter
This quote mirrors one from a previous 'inspired solo pilot'.
The difference is the quote above and below are from a true female solo pilot.
We all wish you well Shaesta.
We look forward to your genuine global solo flight.
"I want to inspire the next generation of female aviation professionals," she told CBC News: Montreal host Debra Arbec on Tuesday, International Women's Day
Along the way, Waiz will make 33 stops as part of a campaign to encourage women to follow careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including aviation.
"I come from Afghanistan, where aviation is not encouraged to women, and I was able to make it," said Waiz. "If I can do it I know women around the world can do it as well."
Waiz was in Montreal in order to meet with officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization and to finalize the flight plans for her trip.
Waiz was in Montreal in order to meet with officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization and to finalize the flight plans for her trip.
We look forward to your genuine global solo flight.

Good on her.
But I still have a problem with the sexism of low expectations ie that women can only succeed if another female inspires them.
I was inspired by Neil Armstrong.
But I still have a problem with the sexism of low expectations ie that women can only succeed if another female inspires them.
I was inspired by Neil Armstrong.

Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Barbados
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After Arizona desert crash, critics of British pilot say they want the truth behind famous flights | National Post
reminds us all about how this thing started - interesting photo "alone" too.
reminds us all about how this thing started - interesting photo "alone" too.

Thread Starter
Her website on Facebook quoted The Sprit of Artemis wintered at 3G Classic Aviation in Austria/Hungary while I had been overseas for some time, missing most of the British winter. I will be bringing the bird back to the UK in a few weeks ..... ready for the next flying and airshow season.
[/quote]That was posted on March 12th which is over two months ago So is the Stearman returning to the UK then boxed to the USA or is it being shipped to Winslow?
The next question is will we see Tracey flying across the USA solo?
[/quote]That was posted on March 12th which is over two months ago So is the Stearman returning to the UK then boxed to the USA or is it being shipped to Winslow?
The next question is will we see Tracey flying across the USA solo?
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 19th May 2017 at 20:39.

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spoke to someone I know at the BWPA as well as another at the IAWA; neither apparently seemed aware of the details of any of TCT's flights regarding whether they were solo or "sole". I found that quite incredible. Perhaps they should be asked formerly as organisations; both have Boards to which they are accountable as I understand it?

Sadly, the US Transcontinental Flight came to an abrupt halt when the Spirit of Artemis crashed
in the desert shortly after take off from Winslow, Arizona. The engine suffered a partial power loss, most likely caused by contaminated fuel.....
in the desert shortly after take off from Winslow, Arizona. The engine suffered a partial power loss, most likely caused by contaminated fuel.....
If the claim had any substance I'm sure there would have been legal action from the TCT camp by now. Since there's been no action on that front it could be assumed the fuel wasn't contaminated, therefore is it possible TCT might expect a cease and desist or something stronger from the legal representative of the Winslow refueller?

The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spoke to someone I know at the BWPA as well as another at the IAWA; neither apparently seemed aware of the details of any of TCT's flights regarding whether they were solo or "sole". I found that quite incredible. Perhaps they should be asked formerly as organisations; both have Boards to which they are accountable as I understand it?
Asking the officials of the organisations...now that's a different matter. It's not clear from Jay Sata's post whether their logos were being misused, but if so, they should know about it. And does the BWPA "endorse her achievements"? As an ordinary member I haven't a clue!

Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Radlett
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Am I the only one that has an issue with the wording of this:
To me it is worded to absolve the pilots of any responsibility. It's almost as if the plane was flying itself, and the passengers managed to survive.
Maybe it's just me...
Sadly, the US Transcontinental Flight came to an abrupt halt when the Spirit of Artemis crashed
in the desert shortly after take off from Winslow, Arizona. The engine suffered a partial power loss, most likely caused by contaminated fuel, which was sufficient to stop it flying at the high density altitude of 7000ft. The Stearman cartwheeled shortly after it hit the ground when it struck a dense sage bush. The damage to the airframe and engine was extensive but Tracey and
Ewald Gritsch stepped out of the cockpit unscathed, which was a testament to the Stearman's
famously strong design.
in the desert shortly after take off from Winslow, Arizona. The engine suffered a partial power loss, most likely caused by contaminated fuel, which was sufficient to stop it flying at the high density altitude of 7000ft. The Stearman cartwheeled shortly after it hit the ground when it struck a dense sage bush. The damage to the airframe and engine was extensive but Tracey and
Ewald Gritsch stepped out of the cockpit unscathed, which was a testament to the Stearman's
famously strong design.
Maybe it's just me...

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Scotland
Age: 83
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No it's not just you, "the aircraft crashed" really! All by itself?
Much like "the car left the road".
Contaminated fuel. Wouldn't that have affected quite a few more aircraft? Or was this stuff from a special tank marked "Boeing Stearman flown by Tracey fuel, incompatible with any other aircraft".
Much like "the car left the road".
Contaminated fuel. Wouldn't that have affected quite a few more aircraft? Or was this stuff from a special tank marked "Boeing Stearman flown by Tracey fuel, incompatible with any other aircraft".


Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The engine suffered a partial power loss, most likely caused by contaminated fuel.....
a postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies.
Perhaps the NTSB forgot to analyse the fuel?? It's not like them to miss something like that........


One of them definitely was a passenger, the big debate has been about which of the two was the passenger on all the earlier flights. On this flight there may in fact have been two "passengers"

Thread Starter
However her total time increased by 320 hours! The US accident report cites she flew 6 hours in the 24 hours before the incident. For a private pilot she has 350 dual which is an unusually large number?
Am I missing something?


Last edited by Mike Flynn; 18th May 2017 at 12:01.

Indeed , apparent discrepancies continue to appear, for example: :
TC-T on Facebook Mar 12 2017 and still posted :
" I will be bringing the bird back to the UK in a few weeks ..... ready for the next flying and airshow season."
Yet, also still displayed on her " Bird in a Biplane" Website:
"The US flight will be resumed in June this year starting again from Winslow, Arizona finishing in New York."
Time will tell.
TC-T on Facebook Mar 12 2017 and still posted :
" I will be bringing the bird back to the UK in a few weeks ..... ready for the next flying and airshow season."
Yet, also still displayed on her " Bird in a Biplane" Website:
"The US flight will be resumed in June this year starting again from Winslow, Arizona finishing in New York."
Time will tell.

There seems to be another discrepancy, with regard to TCT's HCAP membership, which I've wondered about for some time. I believe she is, or was (I can no longer check this since I resigned from that organisation) listed as an "Upper Freeman" which is applicable only to professional pilots. But by her own admission, as per the report above, she is not a professional pilot.
