Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)
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I see Madam will be 'speaking" at 4PM, Monday 19th September at St Johns College, Southsea.
However the talk by TC-T to the members of a local AeroClub planned for this Thursday has been cancelled, and another speaker scheduled.
I make no further comment ....
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Hello,
Came across this article ( below)
Tim Peake awarded Founders Medal by Air League - News - Pilot
Anyone knows what was awarded to TCT?
Cheers
Came across this article ( below)
Tim Peake awarded Founders Medal by Air League - News - Pilot
Anyone knows what was awarded to TCT?
Cheers
she joined the New Zealand Warbirds and began to fly vintage planes and to learn aerobatics and formation flying.[4]
Career[edit]
In 2011, Curtis-Taylor flew in the Flying Legends show at Duxford Aerodrome, England.[7][8] She has also performed as a display pilot at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, England,
Career[edit]
In 2011, Curtis-Taylor flew in the Flying Legends show at Duxford Aerodrome, England.[7][8] She has also performed as a display pilot at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, England,
While all the did-she, didn't-she hoo-har rages on I find a nagging question in my head.
Why, why for Heaven's sake, would a Commercial pilot and instructor capable enough to fly aerobatics and formation and sufficiently accredited to display at Duxford with Flying Legends and at Shuttleworth actually need a second pilot to get a very simple aeroplane from A to B on VMC hops even without GPS?
Surely she can't be so hopeless at flying that she couldn't cope with VFR nav with all those credentials? Why the need for someone to hold her hand? If she flew 4 of the 36 legs solo then it isn't an insurance or "owner always onboard" stipulation.
What is this dual business all about? Why was it ever felt necessary? There has to be a damn good reason for it.
Thread Starter
I received this pm some weeks ago which might help to explain.
I'm in ATC at LHR with friends in ATC at Farnborough.
After catching up with the thread I casually asked they had recently worked a Stearman....they asked me if it was the one flown by a woman, 'Spirit of something'?
I said yes, that's it.
They said 'oh my god, she is f***ing horrendous. She got lost both occasions I've worked her over the past week. She was holding a few miles south and started to wonder off towards Petersfield instead of joining the circuit at Farnborough.'
After catching up with the thread I casually asked they had recently worked a Stearman....they asked me if it was the one flown by a woman, 'Spirit of something'?
I said yes, that's it.
They said 'oh my god, she is f***ing horrendous. She got lost both occasions I've worked her over the past week. She was holding a few miles south and started to wonder off towards Petersfield instead of joining the circuit at Farnborough.'
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 21st Sep 2016 at 18:19.
Tabs please !
I remember one cross country where my instructor reminded me to do a gross error check on my course. Expecting me to refer to a unique ground feature, I replied "it's just after midday, the sun is on my left so I must be heading west". Her reply was "err, umm, I suppose it's difficult to confuse the sun with any other object. Well done, carry on."
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The NTSB final-report on that Spirit of A crashed in Arizona is out,and is at
http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.av...16LA106&akey=1
Cheers
http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.av...16LA106&akey=1
Cheers
Thread Starter
The pilot added that earlier in the day, they had flown three flights, totaling about 5 hours of flight time.
The cancelled flying club talk is Goodwood.
"This coming Thursday the Aero Club were scheduled to host a talk with Tracey Curtis-Taylor to hear all about her recent adventure to Australia in a Biplane. Due to various setbacks Tracey is yet to complete the entire journey therefore the Club has decided to postpone this talk."
She is also guest speaker at the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Summer Ball in Portsmouth this Friday.
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I regularly attend RIAT at Fairford - sure on the three occasions she has brought the Spirit of Artifice to the show it's been flown in/out solo? Curious to hear an appraisal of how these visits went from an ATC perspective, as I understand RIAT has especially complex procedures.
As a younger person (TCT's supposed 'target audience') I thought I'd throw my cap in to state how disingenuous I feel she's been with this whole affair - as the last 70 pages show. Someone from her team clearly reads these pages due to the edits which have been made in light of facts emerging on here - if you're reading this, you should collectively be ashamed of yourselves. I am in no way inspired by TCT's antics whatsoever, and have far more respect for modern day pilots like Lauren Richardson and Amanda Harrison, who have achieved/plan to in their respective areas solo. As the 'tribute to Lady Heath' concept has been virtually blown out of the water due to the complete differences between the trips, surely this was in simple terms an all-expenses-paid jolly around the globe? Crucially, what evidence has TCT provided to the contrary?
As a younger person (TCT's supposed 'target audience') I thought I'd throw my cap in to state how disingenuous I feel she's been with this whole affair - as the last 70 pages show. Someone from her team clearly reads these pages due to the edits which have been made in light of facts emerging on here - if you're reading this, you should collectively be ashamed of yourselves. I am in no way inspired by TCT's antics whatsoever, and have far more respect for modern day pilots like Lauren Richardson and Amanda Harrison, who have achieved/plan to in their respective areas solo. As the 'tribute to Lady Heath' concept has been virtually blown out of the water due to the complete differences between the trips, surely this was in simple terms an all-expenses-paid jolly around the globe? Crucially, what evidence has TCT provided to the contrary?
Last edited by BatteryMaster; 25th Oct 2016 at 10:26.
As an older person Battery master I have sadly learned that shame is not an emotion shared by the morally bankrupt. Instead the PR fall-back is typically:
a) Evasion ( "Must rush, sorry no time for questions just now in our busy schedule").
b) Denial ( "You misunderstand, that was just not the actual intention").
c) Counter-accusation ("We have to ask, just what are your motives for attacking us?").
Let us see.
a) Evasion ( "Must rush, sorry no time for questions just now in our busy schedule").
b) Denial ( "You misunderstand, that was just not the actual intention").
c) Counter-accusation ("We have to ask, just what are your motives for attacking us?").
Let us see.
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Spot-on, Haraka.
Now ... what about certain others responsible for facilitating and, indeed, promoting this scam (or, should I say .. shameful episode in British aviation history)?
"Oh well yes, but it was all the information we had at the time".
Yeah, right mate!
Further, there is quite a bit more to it than the odd gullible fool who will try to claim that he/she had been 'sucked in' by the glib talk.
I'm afraid that the 'plausible deniability' provision is not going to work too well for those certain people - because now, unfortunately, the evidence is out there -
- for all to see.
And, you thought you could bluff it out - as in .. 'don't worry, they're all stupid, except us .. (another port, sir?)
Of course.
GREAT Britain, indeed.
I am both annoyed and embarrassed.
Rant over.
.
Now ... what about certain others responsible for facilitating and, indeed, promoting this scam (or, should I say .. shameful episode in British aviation history)?
"Oh well yes, but it was all the information we had at the time".
Yeah, right mate!
Further, there is quite a bit more to it than the odd gullible fool who will try to claim that he/she had been 'sucked in' by the glib talk.
I'm afraid that the 'plausible deniability' provision is not going to work too well for those certain people - because now, unfortunately, the evidence is out there -
- for all to see.
And, you thought you could bluff it out - as in .. 'don't worry, they're all stupid, except us .. (another port, sir?)
Of course.
GREAT Britain, indeed.
I am both annoyed and embarrassed.
Rant over.
.
Last edited by Stanwell; 21st Sep 2016 at 17:13.
She said 'oh my god, she is f***ing horrendous. She got lost both occasions I've worked her over the past week. She was holding a few miles south and started to wonder off towards Petersfield instead of joining the circuit at Farnborough.'
And this level of ability merits the Bill Woodham Navigation trophy?
It appears the TCT PR people are not happy with her wiki entry.
However, given the interest in her warrants a Wiki entry, it seems to be an omission of facts that there is no 'Accidents/Incidents paragraph. Her aircraft has been involved in two serious mishaps - one which destroyed a helicopter and another which destroyed her aircraft. Either one of those would be cause for comment in any other civilian pilot's 'career', two such incidents would surely raise concerns?
Er...scrub my comment above, the Wikipedia entry has now been massively edited to remove any reference to the DM article.
Last edited by clareprop; 22nd Sep 2016 at 00:06. Reason: Trying to keep up with Wikipedia editor censorship...
She is also guest speaker at the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Summer Ball in Portsmouth this Friday. - Jay Sata
In view of the obvious concerns about the lady's navigational skills, let's hope that she can find her way "single handedly" to the China Fleet Club, which is actually just past Saltash in Cornwall - the postcode is PL12 6LJ if you're reading this Tracey, and having to find your own way there.
And here's an extra tip - remember that the rank of Lieutenant Commander is actually derived from that of a Lieutenant with over eight years' seniority, and certainly should never be confused with the rank of a full Commander.
Jack
In view of the obvious concerns about the lady's navigational skills, let's hope that she can find her way "single handedly" to the China Fleet Club, which is actually just past Saltash in Cornwall - the postcode is PL12 6LJ if you're reading this Tracey, and having to find your own way there.
And here's an extra tip - remember that the rank of Lieutenant Commander is actually derived from that of a Lieutenant with over eight years' seniority, and certainly should never be confused with the rank of a full Commander.
Jack
Thread Starter
I understand Steve Slater,chief executive of the Light Aircraft Association, has today spoken to the same journalist who wrote the Daily Mail expose.
I do not have his exact quote to hand but it is along the lines of 'if we knew then what we know now she would never have been given the award'.
However the Honourable Company of Air Pilots awards committee are still adamant that TCT will get her Masters Medal alongside Tim Peake.
It appears that Boeing and Artemis are pushing hard for this while the Hong Kong and Australian branches strongly oppose it.
One point I would like to clear up is that my suggestion that Prince Michael might be influencing the awards committee is unfounded.
Let us just say I have this on solid gold plated inside information and leave it at that.
I do not have his exact quote to hand but it is along the lines of 'if we knew then what we know now she would never have been given the award'.
However the Honourable Company of Air Pilots awards committee are still adamant that TCT will get her Masters Medal alongside Tim Peake.
It appears that Boeing and Artemis are pushing hard for this while the Hong Kong and Australian branches strongly oppose it.
One point I would like to clear up is that my suggestion that Prince Michael might be influencing the awards committee is unfounded.
Let us just say I have this on solid gold plated inside information and leave it at that.
Why, why for Heaven's sake, would a Commercial pilot and instructor capable enough to fly aerobatics and formation and sufficiently accredited to display at Duxford with Flying Legends and at Shuttleworth actually need a second pilot to get a very simple aeroplane from A to B on VMC hops even without GPS?
Thread Starter
Tracey Curtis Taylor and the Daily Express
I will not be on her Christmas card list for sure
This is the headline in tomorrow's Daily Express
AWARD WINNING FLYER 'BIRD in a BIPLANE may be STRIPPED after after doubts emerge about her claims.
SELF-STYLED "Bird in a Biplane" Tracey Curtis-Taylor faces being stripped of a respected flying award following allegations she made false claims about her flying exploits.
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Wed, Sep 21, 2016 | UPDATED: 16:21, Wed, Sep 21, 2016
Ms Taylor may lose her prestigious award for flying from Cape Town to Britain
The Light Aircraft Association is set to hear a motion that its Bill Woodhams Trophy, awarded to her in 2015 for flying from Cape Town to Britain, now be rescinded.
The Association will hear the damaging motion at its AGM next month with members believing the trophy was wrongly awarded because it has now emerged she did not fly all the legs of the journey solo.
Miss Curtis-Taylor, 54, and her flights have been mired in controversy after flight instructor Ewald Gritsch revealed he occupied the forward cockpit of her vintage bi-plane for most of the legs of her famous journeys.
Her former logistics manager Sam Rutherford also said Curtis-Taylor had been guilty of embellishing the truth and had only flown four of the 36 legs from Cape Town to Goodwood solo.
Now, veteran member of the Light Aircraft Association Barry Tempest has proposed her award be withdrawn in the light of the revelations.
Mr Tempest, who has been a member of the LAA for 50 years, said: "I am proposing that the award be rescinded and that her name be removed from the annals of the Light Aircraft Association.
"I have the greatest of respect for women pilots but I think Tracey Curtis-Taylor has not done a lot the further their case.
"I think she is a boastful lady who needs bringing down a peg or two.
"She made these claims about flying solo, or at least that is what we were lead to believe, and now it has come out that they were not that at all. Far from it.
"I believe the integrity of the LAA is at stake and it is important that we right this wrong."
On the surface the former waitress's trips in her 1942 Boeing Stearman mirrored some of history's greatest exploits by solo female flyers.
The trip from Cape Town to Goodwood, West Sussex was first completed solo by Lady Mary Heath in 1928.
Curtis-Taylor completed the 36-leg, 10,000-mile-flight in 2013 and in 2015 received the award from the Light Aircraft Association for the feat.
Mr Gritsch was also on board for parts of her trip from Farnborough to Sydney, where she arrived in January after a flight covering 23 countries in 50 legs, recreating the 1930 journey of the intrepid Amy Johnson.
In a statement Miss Curtis-Taylor said: 'For the avoidance of doubt, I have always been the sole pilot
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots awarded her its Master's Medal for 2016 for the flight but it is understood there has also been concern within its circles about her claims.
When she crashed in Arizona earlier this year (2016) on the third leg of her round-the-world flights Austrian co-pilot Gritsch was seen scrambling from the wreckage and his presence triggered a storm of outrage on respected flight forums Flyer and Pprune.
More details emerged about Curtis-Taylor's vintage plane being equipped with GPS navigational equipment and the presence a support plane.
The Light Aircraft Association said it would respect the vote of its members.
Chief executive officer Steve Slater said: "There are always two sides to every story and that said we will respect the decision of our members.
"This issue has divided opinion but it is not for me to decide."
Tracey Curtis-Taylor was unavailable for comment.
This is the headline in tomorrow's Daily Express
AWARD WINNING FLYER 'BIRD in a BIPLANE may be STRIPPED after after doubts emerge about her claims.
SELF-STYLED "Bird in a Biplane" Tracey Curtis-Taylor faces being stripped of a respected flying award following allegations she made false claims about her flying exploits.
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Wed, Sep 21, 2016 | UPDATED: 16:21, Wed, Sep 21, 2016
Ms Taylor may lose her prestigious award for flying from Cape Town to Britain
The Light Aircraft Association is set to hear a motion that its Bill Woodhams Trophy, awarded to her in 2015 for flying from Cape Town to Britain, now be rescinded.
The Association will hear the damaging motion at its AGM next month with members believing the trophy was wrongly awarded because it has now emerged she did not fly all the legs of the journey solo.
Miss Curtis-Taylor, 54, and her flights have been mired in controversy after flight instructor Ewald Gritsch revealed he occupied the forward cockpit of her vintage bi-plane for most of the legs of her famous journeys.
Her former logistics manager Sam Rutherford also said Curtis-Taylor had been guilty of embellishing the truth and had only flown four of the 36 legs from Cape Town to Goodwood solo.
Now, veteran member of the Light Aircraft Association Barry Tempest has proposed her award be withdrawn in the light of the revelations.
Mr Tempest, who has been a member of the LAA for 50 years, said: "I am proposing that the award be rescinded and that her name be removed from the annals of the Light Aircraft Association.
"I have the greatest of respect for women pilots but I think Tracey Curtis-Taylor has not done a lot the further their case.
"I think she is a boastful lady who needs bringing down a peg or two.
"She made these claims about flying solo, or at least that is what we were lead to believe, and now it has come out that they were not that at all. Far from it.
"I believe the integrity of the LAA is at stake and it is important that we right this wrong."
On the surface the former waitress's trips in her 1942 Boeing Stearman mirrored some of history's greatest exploits by solo female flyers.
The trip from Cape Town to Goodwood, West Sussex was first completed solo by Lady Mary Heath in 1928.
Curtis-Taylor completed the 36-leg, 10,000-mile-flight in 2013 and in 2015 received the award from the Light Aircraft Association for the feat.
Mr Gritsch was also on board for parts of her trip from Farnborough to Sydney, where she arrived in January after a flight covering 23 countries in 50 legs, recreating the 1930 journey of the intrepid Amy Johnson.
In a statement Miss Curtis-Taylor said: 'For the avoidance of doubt, I have always been the sole pilot
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots awarded her its Master's Medal for 2016 for the flight but it is understood there has also been concern within its circles about her claims.
When she crashed in Arizona earlier this year (2016) on the third leg of her round-the-world flights Austrian co-pilot Gritsch was seen scrambling from the wreckage and his presence triggered a storm of outrage on respected flight forums Flyer and Pprune.
More details emerged about Curtis-Taylor's vintage plane being equipped with GPS navigational equipment and the presence a support plane.
The Light Aircraft Association said it would respect the vote of its members.
Chief executive officer Steve Slater said: "There are always two sides to every story and that said we will respect the decision of our members.
"This issue has divided opinion but it is not for me to decide."
Tracey Curtis-Taylor was unavailable for comment.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 21st Sep 2016 at 18:53.
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Well done to Steve Slater too. He has shown diplomacy where it is needed.
I admire his statement as the CEO of the LAA that the debate will be heard and the vote will be respected.
I admire his statement as the CEO of the LAA that the debate will be heard and the vote will be respected.
Thread Starter
TCT Steve Slater
I disagree.
If it had been left to people like Steve Slater and Ian Seager this story would have been buried a long time ago and Tracey Curtis Taylor would not have been exposed.
Steve's statement to Dave Jarvis sums up his sitting on the fence attitude.
If it had been left to people like Steve Slater and Ian Seager this story would have been buried a long time ago and Tracey Curtis Taylor would not have been exposed.
Steve's statement to Dave Jarvis sums up his sitting on the fence attitude.
Chief executive officer Steve Slater said: "There are always two sides to every story and that said we will respect the decision of our members.
"This issue has divided opinion but it is not for me to decide."
"This issue has divided opinion but it is not for me to decide."