Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)
Whilst this thread is clearly proving to be very popular, indeed entertaining, I do believe there are some very serious core concerns: most importantly the misleading claims made by TCT and the need to stop her continuing to bring aviation into disrepute. In this respect I grow more angry by the day at the refusal by the HCAP to reconsider their position even though I am assured it has been fully debated and the facts are well known. I cannot understand how any citation can be written for the Master's Medal that is honest yet worthy. I shall not attend the ceremony and I am seriously considering my ongoing membership
The other issue is Artemis, a company that manages other people's money. Those people and indeed the wider community expect a high level of probity especially after the shenanigans of 2007 for which the entire world is paying. Their refusal to even respond to requests for information is disgraceful and IMHO something other financial companies should consider.
Boeing on the other hand merely makes planes and uses lots of advertising. This is just another example. They didnt pay for expensive hotels etc etc out of love for TCT but for publicity. Well they have had plenty. and the situation with the other sponsors is unknown - a sticker on the aircraft means nothing.
The other issue is Artemis, a company that manages other people's money. Those people and indeed the wider community expect a high level of probity especially after the shenanigans of 2007 for which the entire world is paying. Their refusal to even respond to requests for information is disgraceful and IMHO something other financial companies should consider.
Boeing on the other hand merely makes planes and uses lots of advertising. This is just another example. They didnt pay for expensive hotels etc etc out of love for TCT but for publicity. Well they have had plenty. and the situation with the other sponsors is unknown - a sticker on the aircraft means nothing.
Whilst this thread is clearly proving to be very popular, indeed entertaining, I do believe there are some very serious core concerns: most importantly the misleading claims made by TCT and the need to stop her continuing to bring aviation into disrepute. In this respect I grow more angry by the day at the refusal by the HCAP to reconsider their position even though I am assured it has been fully debated and the facts are well known. I cannot understand how any citation can be written for the Master's Medal that is honest yet worthy. I shall not attend the ceremony and I am seriously considering my ongoing membership
The other issue is Artemis, a company that manages other people's money. Those people and indeed the wider community expect a high level of probity especially after the shenanigans of 2007 for which the entire world is paying. Their refusal to even respond to requests for information is disgraceful and IMHO something other financial companies should consider.
Boeing on the other hand merely makes planes and uses lots of advertising. This is just another example. They didnt pay for expensive hotels etc etc out of love for TCT but for publicity. Well they have had plenty. and the situation with the other sponsors is unknown - a sticker on the aircraft means nothing.
The other issue is Artemis, a company that manages other people's money. Those people and indeed the wider community expect a high level of probity especially after the shenanigans of 2007 for which the entire world is paying. Their refusal to even respond to requests for information is disgraceful and IMHO something other financial companies should consider.
Boeing on the other hand merely makes planes and uses lots of advertising. This is just another example. They didnt pay for expensive hotels etc etc out of love for TCT but for publicity. Well they have had plenty. and the situation with the other sponsors is unknown - a sticker on the aircraft means nothing.
In this story that keeps running in the absense of facts or apologies from the T C--T camp, I have tried to lighten the mood by composing an appropriate limerick and poem that summarise the plot:
Let’s start with a fantastic story
You see, from the start she wanted glory
In fooling the Royals, press
Navy, and noblesse
Gritsch’s vanishing act was mandatory!
The truth was highly contorted
Artifice was crushed and distorted,
Refuting what solo really meant
Trace’s honour appears totally spent.
Let’s start with a fantastic story
You see, from the start she wanted glory
In fooling the Royals, press
Navy, and noblesse
Gritsch’s vanishing act was mandatory!
The truth was highly contorted
Artifice was crushed and distorted,
Refuting what solo really meant
Trace’s honour appears totally spent.
Last edited by pilotmike; 26th Sep 2016 at 18:54.
Regarding the Portsmouth News Press Report webpage on her being potentially " stripped" . There are some interesting comments now appearing which Pprune viewers are free to click on to add support to if they so wish . See:
Calls for famed pilot to be stripped of her titles in Portsmouth amid claims she lied about solo flight - The News
Calls for famed pilot to be stripped of her titles in Portsmouth amid claims she lied about solo flight - The News
Thread Starter
The comments mentioned ask the same questions we all want answers to.
She was convincing all the worlds media that it was a solo voyage up until the truth started to appear on Pprune
ITV News in the UK ran this report on January 7th this year.
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-01-07/b...e-solo-flight/
Dare we assume Mark Austin got his facts wrong? Or was he perhaps suffering the after effects of a liquid lunch at the Calthorpe Arms just paces away from ITV News HQ in Grays Inn Rd.
It is more likely her well oiled PR machine fed ITV the 'facts' to write the story?
There is video in his report which clearly shows two people in the Spirit Of Artemis.
Sadly Mark and the production journalist editing the package failed to notice what was on the screen.
As we all know by now Tracey loves to embelish the truth.
So she had to throw this fib in to that story.
This all reminds me of the 1963 John Schlesinger movie Billy Liar.
Was it claimed to be a "solo flight" before and after the event or was it intended to be a solo flight which then became a "collaborative event"? What were her honours awarded for?
Read more at: Calls for famed pilot to be stripped of her titles in Portsmouth amid claims she lied about solo flight - The News
Read more at: Calls for famed pilot to be stripped of her titles in Portsmouth amid claims she lied about solo flight - The News
Miss Taylor-Curtis' website has been amended several times since the truth of these flights came to light swith the claims to have flown solo being removed. However anything posted on the internet can be found if you know how to look. On 4th February 2015 her website stated "Her solo open-cockpit biplane flight from Cape Town to Goodwood...". The 'solo' claim was made many, many times in the press and other media as well as during public appearances such as here:
ITV News in the UK ran this report on January 7th this year.
ITV REPORT 7 January 2016 at 5:36pm
British pilot Tracey Curtis Taylor days away from completing 13,000 mile solo flight
British adventurer Tracey Curtis-Taylor is only days away from completing an epic voyage from the UK to Australia in a vintage biplane.
ITV News presenter Mark Austin reports:
She is attempting to recreate legendary pilot Amy Johnson's pioneering 13,000 mile solo flight across the globe from England and is expected to land in Sydney over the weekend, after making landfall Down Under on earlier this week.
Speaking to ITV News, Curtis-Taylor said that she is flying twice as far each leg across Australia to make up time lost due to bad weather but she is "relieved beyond words" to finally be Down Under.
Flying for up to eight hours a day on her final leg, she said she was having to stop to regularly refuel - relying on help from aboriginal villages.
She has made more than 50 refuelling stops along the way - travelling through Vienna, Istanbul, Riyadh, Dubai, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali before the final strech in Australia.
Her plan is fly along the famous coastline from Richmond Royal Australian Air Force base, past the Sydney Opera House and the bridge before making her final landing at Sydney International Airport.
"Then there'll be a big party - I'm going to need a very large drink at the end of this, I can tell you," she added.
But she won't be resting for long, she said - she will be heading to New Zealand to visit family before returning to London, before shipping the plane off to Seattle in preparation for another solo flight across America next year.
British pilot Tracey Curtis Taylor days away from completing 13,000 mile solo flight
British adventurer Tracey Curtis-Taylor is only days away from completing an epic voyage from the UK to Australia in a vintage biplane.
ITV News presenter Mark Austin reports:
She is attempting to recreate legendary pilot Amy Johnson's pioneering 13,000 mile solo flight across the globe from England and is expected to land in Sydney over the weekend, after making landfall Down Under on earlier this week.
Speaking to ITV News, Curtis-Taylor said that she is flying twice as far each leg across Australia to make up time lost due to bad weather but she is "relieved beyond words" to finally be Down Under.
Flying for up to eight hours a day on her final leg, she said she was having to stop to regularly refuel - relying on help from aboriginal villages.
She has made more than 50 refuelling stops along the way - travelling through Vienna, Istanbul, Riyadh, Dubai, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali before the final strech in Australia.
Her plan is fly along the famous coastline from Richmond Royal Australian Air Force base, past the Sydney Opera House and the bridge before making her final landing at Sydney International Airport.
"Then there'll be a big party - I'm going to need a very large drink at the end of this, I can tell you," she added.
But she won't be resting for long, she said - she will be heading to New Zealand to visit family before returning to London, before shipping the plane off to Seattle in preparation for another solo flight across America next year.
Dare we assume Mark Austin got his facts wrong? Or was he perhaps suffering the after effects of a liquid lunch at the Calthorpe Arms just paces away from ITV News HQ in Grays Inn Rd.
It is more likely her well oiled PR machine fed ITV the 'facts' to write the story?
There is video in his report which clearly shows two people in the Spirit Of Artemis.
Sadly Mark and the production journalist editing the package failed to notice what was on the screen.
As we all know by now Tracey loves to embelish the truth.
So she had to throw this fib in to that story.
she said she was having to stop to regularly refuel - relying on help from aboriginal villages.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 25th Sep 2016 at 15:33.
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The other issue is Artemis, a company that manages other people's money. Those people and indeed the wider community expect a high level of probity especially after the shenanigans of 2007 for which the entire world is paying. Their refusal to even respond to requests for information is disgraceful and IMHO something other financial companies should consider.
As a matter of interest HCAP are regulated by the Charity Commission who have a priority responsibility for "creating confidence in the UK charity sector".
I see from the comments on the above news link that somebody has been doing their homework using the wayback machine.
https://archive.org/web/
Their are 22 saved prior versions of the birdinabiplane website (seriously who the.... came up with that idea
) some are unreadable, others are not. One of the early versions (the third one I think) speaks clearly of a solo flight.And I think this thread should be getting exposure on the military forum as it is getting more and more Walter Mitty by the day. (And seemingly an officially sanctioned Walt at that)
Thread Starter
Which military forum would you suggest? Maybe a few of us can join and enlighten them
This from the Singapore Airlines magazine
This from the Singapore Airlines magazine
January 11, 2016
It has been an amazing journey and MANDY LIM BEITLER has loved following the adventures of the daring aviator in her solitary flight from UK to Australia. We’ve finally reached its finale.
January 11, 2016
Tracey Curtis-Taylor has done it! Following in the slipstream of pioneer Amy Johnson, she has flown about 21,000km across 23 countries since taking off from Farnborough in the UK on October 1, 2015, and successfully touched down in her destination of Sydney, Australia on January 9, 2016.
Single-handedly piloting her vintage green open-cockpit Boeing Stearman biplane across three continents, her flight plan included a total of 50 stops along the way. These allowed for necessary refuelling and rest breaks, as well as for Curtis-Taylor to meet and greet all manner of fans and fellow aviation enthusiasts. This huge adventure has also enabled her to raise awareness for the causes she champions, which run the gamut from providing support for the disabled to wildlife and environmental conservation.
https://www.silverkris.com/stories/b...epeats-history
It has been an amazing journey and MANDY LIM BEITLER has loved following the adventures of the daring aviator in her solitary flight from UK to Australia. We’ve finally reached its finale.
January 11, 2016
Tracey Curtis-Taylor has done it! Following in the slipstream of pioneer Amy Johnson, she has flown about 21,000km across 23 countries since taking off from Farnborough in the UK on October 1, 2015, and successfully touched down in her destination of Sydney, Australia on January 9, 2016.
Single-handedly piloting her vintage green open-cockpit Boeing Stearman biplane across three continents, her flight plan included a total of 50 stops along the way. These allowed for necessary refuelling and rest breaks, as well as for Curtis-Taylor to meet and greet all manner of fans and fellow aviation enthusiasts. This huge adventure has also enabled her to raise awareness for the causes she champions, which run the gamut from providing support for the disabled to wildlife and environmental conservation.
https://www.silverkris.com/stories/b...epeats-history
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 25th Sep 2016 at 16:14.
I like to think I worked pretty hard to get both my FAA wings and the stripes she sports and I really object to some fatuous, self-promoting parasite thinking she has the right and qualifications to wear them.
However there is one common thread running through the LAA,HCAP,The Royal Naval Reserve, Tracey Curtis Taylor and her Honorary Lt Commander award and the picture below.
The Queen's cousin Prince Michael has influence?
The Queen's cousin Prince Michael has influence?
I couldn't agree more with Pontius, BEagle et al, but there is an additional common thread, and one which suggests that Prince Michael must have some influence because, whilst both hold ranks in the Royal Naval Reserve, neither TCT nor he is strictly qualified to wear FAA wings. In fact, although he has not completed any formal Service flying qualification of which I am aware, the photographs at https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/y....zen._.0816tb2 seem to indicate that he happily wears the flying badge of all three Services when in uniform, even though his own official website cannot spell "Air Marshal" correctly.
Birds of a feather?
Interestingly enough by comparison, and again so far as I am aware, not even his kinsman, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, wears anything other than the RAF wings to which he is fully entitled, when in both RAF and Army uniform, and has never worn the Royal Navy or Army wings which I am sure both Services would be more more than happy for him to wear.
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Scholarship Group - Dr Amarjit Lahel & Tracey Curtis-Taylor
It was interesting to hear that, although we might expect such a journey to be less hazardous today, it was actually more difficult in some ways. Political instability in the Middle East forced Tracey to change her route, and the bureaucratic regulations imposed by countries are so much more difficult to negotiate nowadays.
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Of course, Katamarino.
But hardly an unknown when it comes to flight planning - particularly given the resources available to the 'team'.
Also noted was the usual use of 'Little Red Riding Hood' style emotive commentary on this saga...
Seems our intrepid aviatrix was "forced" to change her route.
All together now .. Ohhh!
Fortunately though, our Tracey just happened to have had a number of experienced and valiant Knights in Armour (together with bucket-loads of baksheesh)
readily to hand in order to insulate her from those terrible realities.
Hooray!!!
.
But hardly an unknown when it comes to flight planning - particularly given the resources available to the 'team'.
Also noted was the usual use of 'Little Red Riding Hood' style emotive commentary on this saga...
Seems our intrepid aviatrix was "forced" to change her route.
All together now .. Ohhh!
Fortunately though, our Tracey just happened to have had a number of experienced and valiant Knights in Armour (together with bucket-loads of baksheesh)
readily to hand in order to insulate her from those terrible realities.
Hooray!!!
.
Last edited by Stanwell; 26th Sep 2016 at 11:47.
Tabs please !
If the HCAP are scrambling around to find a replacement for their gong then they need look no further than Kate McWilliam who has become an EasyJet skipper at the age of 26.
Soaring to new heights - the 26-year-old easyJet flight captain
The award should be based on her age and not on her gender.
Soaring to new heights - the 26-year-old easyJet flight captain
The award should be based on her age and not on her gender.
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If the HCAP are scrambling around to find a replacement for their gong then they need look no further than Kate McWilliam who has become an EasyJet skipper at the age of 26.
Soaring to new heights - the 26-year-old easyJet flight captain
Soaring to new heights - the 26-year-old easyJet flight captain
Having read through this thread again, it is now time for me to come clean and seek your guidance.
In 2013 I decided to walk SOLO from John O’Groats to Lands End, dressed only in beach wear and carrying a surfboard. It was primarily to raise awareness that bald , over-weight men really needed to get off their arses and do something positive. You can read all about it in my blog “Fat bloke in flip-flops”.
From the outset it became apparent that this was going to be too difficult; trying to source flip-flops in the rugged wilds of Scotland was a logistical nightmare and asking the aboriginals if they had spares I could borrow was going to be a non-starter. Offers of free wellies were plentiful but I wanted to continue the beach-wear theme. Some may argue that wellies are beach-wear in Aberdeen but I wanted the full authenticity to prevail. All of this, and the fact that I struggle to walk to the fridge to get a pasty, meant my plans had to be revised.
Before the start it was agreed that I would be driven to Land’s End instead, and I would walk the final 100 metres to be met by the waiting press. This caused me further problems as the lucrative after dinner speaking engagements believed it was a SOLO walk. I had prepared my presentations in advance but minor editing made sure all would be fine; I simply removed any reference to walking and replaced them with “journey”, “adventure” , “tour” and “expedition”. Sorted!
For the avoidance of doubt, I always wore my flip-flops throughout my “journey”. Adventuring in them was a real hardship and made my tour down south a real trial. For safety reasons, I asked a police Class 1 driver to take the wheel for all legs barring the departure from JO’G car park and a little bit around Helston. I also used Booking.com to handle all accommodation on route.
I had tremendous support throughout from TK Maxx (they thought I was using their shoes) and from the Royal Marines who likened my “tour” to the yomp from Tumbledown to Stanley ; they kindly gave me the Honorary rank of Royal Navy Commode. (sic ;-)) and the right to wear the crossed flip-flops brevet .
For me this was a personal challenge and I really cannot understand why there is now such negativity towards me. It was a LONELY adventure; PC Hollis was a man of few words, and Travelodges are desolate places. As for the surf-board, that is now on display in the visitor’s museum at JO’G. I say “on display” but in fact I think it is still in the corner, near the snack counter, where I accidentally left it.
Update: I am due to get an award from the Honorable Company of Thong Wearers. I am not sure if I should accept as they represent the female skimpy attire wearers and not the Aussie Footwear Association.
Oh what the hell, an award is an award and I think I deserve it.
(note to self - update after-dinner speaking fees).
To book, please google "blokes in thongs".
In 2013 I decided to walk SOLO from John O’Groats to Lands End, dressed only in beach wear and carrying a surfboard. It was primarily to raise awareness that bald , over-weight men really needed to get off their arses and do something positive. You can read all about it in my blog “Fat bloke in flip-flops”.
From the outset it became apparent that this was going to be too difficult; trying to source flip-flops in the rugged wilds of Scotland was a logistical nightmare and asking the aboriginals if they had spares I could borrow was going to be a non-starter. Offers of free wellies were plentiful but I wanted to continue the beach-wear theme. Some may argue that wellies are beach-wear in Aberdeen but I wanted the full authenticity to prevail. All of this, and the fact that I struggle to walk to the fridge to get a pasty, meant my plans had to be revised.
Before the start it was agreed that I would be driven to Land’s End instead, and I would walk the final 100 metres to be met by the waiting press. This caused me further problems as the lucrative after dinner speaking engagements believed it was a SOLO walk. I had prepared my presentations in advance but minor editing made sure all would be fine; I simply removed any reference to walking and replaced them with “journey”, “adventure” , “tour” and “expedition”. Sorted!
For the avoidance of doubt, I always wore my flip-flops throughout my “journey”. Adventuring in them was a real hardship and made my tour down south a real trial. For safety reasons, I asked a police Class 1 driver to take the wheel for all legs barring the departure from JO’G car park and a little bit around Helston. I also used Booking.com to handle all accommodation on route.
I had tremendous support throughout from TK Maxx (they thought I was using their shoes) and from the Royal Marines who likened my “tour” to the yomp from Tumbledown to Stanley ; they kindly gave me the Honorary rank of Royal Navy Commode. (sic ;-)) and the right to wear the crossed flip-flops brevet .
For me this was a personal challenge and I really cannot understand why there is now such negativity towards me. It was a LONELY adventure; PC Hollis was a man of few words, and Travelodges are desolate places. As for the surf-board, that is now on display in the visitor’s museum at JO’G. I say “on display” but in fact I think it is still in the corner, near the snack counter, where I accidentally left it.
Update: I am due to get an award from the Honorable Company of Thong Wearers. I am not sure if I should accept as they represent the female skimpy attire wearers and not the Aussie Footwear Association.
Oh what the hell, an award is an award and I think I deserve it.
(note to self - update after-dinner speaking fees).
To book, please google "blokes in thongs".
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It seems that someone has opened a twitter account in the name of "BiplaneLiar"
Only a few tweets so far but they seem to be highlighting questionable claims made by TCT.
Trying to figure out how to "follow" someone on twitter and hoping for more updates.
Only a few tweets so far but they seem to be highlighting questionable claims made by TCT.
Trying to figure out how to "follow" someone on twitter and hoping for more updates.
https://twitter.com/BiplaneLiar?lang=en-gb
Update, to My Fat Bloke in Flip Flops Blog.
May 2016- whilst journeying from Wilmslow (Chesire) I had an accident and my Flip Flops are no more. I had a blow-out in my rush to to get to Greggs whilst they had a sale on. Hopefully, they can be repaired in time for my LONELY venture across Florida (actually, just a holiday to disneyland but that doesn't put bums on seats or get a good book deal/MBE/OBE/VC).
Image of damaged flip-flop. That is NOT PC Hollis walking back to the "support" car. ;-)
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SWB
Your story has touched my heart: I have never read such a modestly understated account of a feat of endurance, heroism and sheer guts and determination. A very good friend of mine used to be a class 1 police driver and I know first hand just how hard it is to keep them fed and watered, never mind being scared s41tless every time they put the hammer down.
To those who may doubt that you deserve this award, you have but to point out that it was never intended to be a "solo journey" but a "sole trip”; that the sole of each of your feet was in contact with the sole of the relevant flip flop at all times, especially when you tripped over; and that you have set your heart and soul into conning it. (Edit: sorry, I meant "winning it": damned autocorrect......
)
SWB: I see from your previous post that sadly you appear to have had a reportable flip flop accident. Can I ask if any other footwear was damaged, as I have read reports of a badly scuffed pair of Doc Martens in that area?
Your story has touched my heart: I have never read such a modestly understated account of a feat of endurance, heroism and sheer guts and determination. A very good friend of mine used to be a class 1 police driver and I know first hand just how hard it is to keep them fed and watered, never mind being scared s41tless every time they put the hammer down.
To those who may doubt that you deserve this award, you have but to point out that it was never intended to be a "solo journey" but a "sole trip”; that the sole of each of your feet was in contact with the sole of the relevant flip flop at all times, especially when you tripped over; and that you have set your heart and soul into conning it. (Edit: sorry, I meant "winning it": damned autocorrect......
)SWB: I see from your previous post that sadly you appear to have had a reportable flip flop accident. Can I ask if any other footwear was damaged, as I have read reports of a badly scuffed pair of Doc Martens in that area?
Last edited by Jonzarno; 26th Sep 2016 at 12:38. Reason: Reply to previous post