Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads)
Thread Starter
Aminta is a legend at Bankstown.
Dozens of solo ferry crossings over the Pacific and in single engine aircraft.
1978 - First Australian woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in a single engine aircraft
First woman to complete solo back-to-back flights across the Pacific
All these wonderful female pilots have been so modest and just got on with the job.
Such as this pilot in the UK press.
Dozens of solo ferry crossings over the Pacific and in single engine aircraft.
1978 - First Australian woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in a single engine aircraft
First woman to complete solo back-to-back flights across the Pacific
All these wonderful female pilots have been so modest and just got on with the job.
Such as this pilot in the UK press.
The last deployed Royal Navy Lynx helicopter has retired from service after 41 years.
Flight 208 flew home to RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, today following its nine month deployment on the frigate HMS Portland.
It was welcomed back to the base by commander Phil Richardson, the commanding officer, and flown by lieutenant Laura Cambrook.
Flight 208 flew home to RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, today following its nine month deployment on the frigate HMS Portland.
It was welcomed back to the base by commander Phil Richardson, the commanding officer, and flown by lieutenant Laura Cambrook.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 11th Mar 2017 at 23:23.
Yes hats off to Aminta for sure!
Trudy Robins is an inspirational woman, as well as one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Possibly the most highly qualified testing officer in the country?
Bonnie Henderson never got as much attention as her mother but she did some pretty amazing flying too.
Trudy Robins is an inspirational woman, as well as one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Possibly the most highly qualified testing officer in the country?
Bonnie Henderson never got as much attention as her mother but she did some pretty amazing flying too.
It's great to hear such inspirational stories emerge from this sad saga even though their subjects often shun publicity rather than seeking the limelight. Even more impressive is that most have achieved their respect and standing by their own efforts, and have done more to further aviation than a formation of TCTs. Among my own stars must be Kath Burnham, instructor extraordinaire, and I hope she won't mind me relating this story as an inspiration to all youngsters.
While visiting Paull (Hull) for the Barnstormers display in June 1971 the club secretary Ken Charles asked me if I would take his young friend Kath for a flight in my Tiger Moth. “She's never away from the airfield,” he said. “She's mad about aviation, she'll do any job she can to help the club, and she really wants a flight in a Tiger”. Kath, then about 13 years, was brimming with enthusiasm and made a good fist of the TM even though she could hardly see over the side. She told me she would be a pilot one day; Ken reckoned she would go far in the airline world.
Fast forward another decade and the boot was on the other foot, for Kath had become a senior instructor at Kidlington when I trained for my instrument rating. In retirement many years later, I tuned in for a TV programme on the DC3 and there in the left seat was Kath, by now one of the country's most respected instructors with 2000 hours on the Dakota. Today she is head of flight training at Command Pilot Training in Coventry.
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Right, if I may attempt to summarise the last couple of pages of posts...
Women have been doing some pretty amazing flights since...fairly soon after the dawn of aviation. Some are still doing so today. Others are just flying. There seem to be fewer of them doing so than is the case for men, either because they don't want to, or they think they can't, or a combination of the two. But it's not a big deal. Men have done the same kind of things, and aren't mentioned, so why should we mention the women? After all, flying doesn't require great physical strength or use of any particular anatomical appendages. It's just another skill, which almost anyone can acquire if they have a modicum of intelligence, coordination, and determination (and money of course).
That being so, what on earth was all the fuss about TCT in the first place? Why is all that fuss continuing now? She's a silly little girl (I'm being polite) who tried to make out she was doing something extraordinary - and even if she'd done it all solo it wouldn't have been that special, never mind now. As for what she has or hasn't done for the cause of women in aviation, is this even a 'cause', well into the 21st century? I don't think so.
That being the case, it would be nice if all references to her on Wikipedia, Facebook, and everywhere else were removed. I wish they could be. She's a big yawn, and a waste of space. And I know I speak for a lot of other pilots, male and female, in saying this.
I was going to include PPRuNe in the above list. I probably should. But dammit, I do rather enjoy reading this increasingly pointless thread!
Women have been doing some pretty amazing flights since...fairly soon after the dawn of aviation. Some are still doing so today. Others are just flying. There seem to be fewer of them doing so than is the case for men, either because they don't want to, or they think they can't, or a combination of the two. But it's not a big deal. Men have done the same kind of things, and aren't mentioned, so why should we mention the women? After all, flying doesn't require great physical strength or use of any particular anatomical appendages. It's just another skill, which almost anyone can acquire if they have a modicum of intelligence, coordination, and determination (and money of course).
That being so, what on earth was all the fuss about TCT in the first place? Why is all that fuss continuing now? She's a silly little girl (I'm being polite) who tried to make out she was doing something extraordinary - and even if she'd done it all solo it wouldn't have been that special, never mind now. As for what she has or hasn't done for the cause of women in aviation, is this even a 'cause', well into the 21st century? I don't think so.
That being the case, it would be nice if all references to her on Wikipedia, Facebook, and everywhere else were removed. I wish they could be. She's a big yawn, and a waste of space. And I know I speak for a lot of other pilots, male and female, in saying this.
I was going to include PPRuNe in the above list. I probably should. But dammit, I do rather enjoy reading this increasingly pointless thread!
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I really do find all these stories inspirational. For me, at least, it's the stories that impress and not the gender of those they are about.
And to think that they have all come together here in this thread.
Causing people to post them here is probably Ms Curtis-Taylor's only real contribution to aviation, and we should thank her for it! 
Of course, none of these truly impressive aviators can match her achievements in bullsh1tting her way to a bunch of undeserved awards. So she's ahead of them on one count at least.......
And to think that they have all come together here in this thread.
Causing people to post them here is probably Ms Curtis-Taylor's only real contribution to aviation, and we should thank her for it! Of course, none of these truly impressive aviators can match her achievements in bullsh1tting her way to a bunch of undeserved awards. So she's ahead of them on one count at least.......
Thread Starter
Nice synopsys Whirly.
Jonzarno really sums it up in a few words.
As for me then if I had truly made some historic flights I would want to celebrate where it all started.
In TCT's case it was Ardmore,Auckland New Zealand.
A small flying community where everyone knows everyone.
Has she returned to fly again with the military pilots she trained with?
The big question is what does Liz Needham know?
She was a major player of the flight training set up when TCT got her licence.
Was our intrepid aviatrix the real champion of advancing women in aviation at Ardmore while mere instructors took care of the mundane tasks?
I can find no credits for TCT's adventures on the NZ Association of Women in Aviation
www.nzawa.org.nz website
Nor can I find any credits from the NZ Warbirds. Interestingly her claim to have been trained by military pilots has disappeared from the wiki entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Curtis-Taylor
This is Liz Needham, a true aviatrix.
Jonzarno really sums it up in a few words.
As for me then if I had truly made some historic flights I would want to celebrate where it all started.
In TCT's case it was Ardmore,Auckland New Zealand.
A small flying community where everyone knows everyone.
Has she returned to fly again with the military pilots she trained with?
The big question is what does Liz Needham know?
She was a major player of the flight training set up when TCT got her licence.
Was our intrepid aviatrix the real champion of advancing women in aviation at Ardmore while mere instructors took care of the mundane tasks?
Outside of New Zealand’s small aviation community, most people won’t have heard of Liz Needham. Yet this remarkable Kiwi has achieved many first's for women’s aviation in this country and today is one of only two female Spitfire pilots in the world.
Few would argue that she is New Zealand’s most experienced female pilot and a great role model for any aspiring aviator.
Inspired by her brothers, Liz signed up with the Rex Flying School at Ardmore in 1974, clocking up her first solo flight in February that year. Just over forty years later her log book records 25,000 hours flying time… mostly on commercial airliners (for work) and warbirds (for play).
Liz is currently an Air New Zealand captain on 767s but it is the challenge of the warbird flying that really ignites her passion for flying.
Along with husband Frank Parker, she has enjoyed much involvement with the New Zealand Warbirds Association. This group is dedicated to restoring, preserving and flying ex-military aircraft. It began in the late 1970s with the focus on ex-RNZAF aircraft but today encompasses a huge range of types from Russia, China, the US and beyond. Located on Harvard Lane at Ardmore Airport, the group now have a visitor centre and considerable warbird educational resource.
“Ardmore is the home of New Zealand Warbirds so I have been a member right from the start. As you can imagine it is a privilege to fly these historic planes,” Liz says.
The group support pilots wanting to fly warbirds and work hard to get the aircraft out and about at airshows and open days.
About ten years ago, Liz began flying in the ‘Roaring Forties’ aerobatic display team. Flying ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers, the Roaring Forties team are the flag bearers of the New Zealand Warbirds Association. Again it was the challenge, Liz says, that drew her in to this demanding flying role where precision aerobatics are performed in front of large crowds. But it is also the opportunity to honour those that flew the aircraft in combat, when the team undertake flypasts at ANZAC and other commemorative services.
Always cool and calm, Liz takes each new challenge in her stride and has also been a display pilot at the popular Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow since 2000, piloting the P-40 Kittyhawk as well as the Harvards.
Five years ago, when the Civil Aviation Authority approved a rule change to allow paying passengers into warbirds, Liz and Frank began Warbird Adventure Rides. The couple take people for the flight of their life in their AT-6 Harvard, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk or in a colleague’s Supermarine Spitfire.
Customers are universally thrilled with their experience and comments on social media tell the story best, such as the following… “This is the sort of place where you want to just go back and sit near the hangars, even if it's raining, even to just play cards, beside some of the most beautiful and well cared for classic Warbird aircraft.”
So between flying 767s, taking joyrides in WWII fighters and working the airshow circuit, does Liz have time for anything else? Well, yes, she has her own flying school at Ardmore and in 1983 became the first woman in New Zealand to gain an A Category instructors rating. An ‘A Cat’, as it is known in aviation circles, is the highest possible qualification for instructors and Liz’s school has been described as one of New Zealand’s premier training facilities.
Her influence in the aviation world continues to be felt strongly throughout New Zealand, particularly as a great inspiration to Kiwi women.
Few would argue that she is New Zealand’s most experienced female pilot and a great role model for any aspiring aviator.
Inspired by her brothers, Liz signed up with the Rex Flying School at Ardmore in 1974, clocking up her first solo flight in February that year. Just over forty years later her log book records 25,000 hours flying time… mostly on commercial airliners (for work) and warbirds (for play).
Liz is currently an Air New Zealand captain on 767s but it is the challenge of the warbird flying that really ignites her passion for flying.
Along with husband Frank Parker, she has enjoyed much involvement with the New Zealand Warbirds Association. This group is dedicated to restoring, preserving and flying ex-military aircraft. It began in the late 1970s with the focus on ex-RNZAF aircraft but today encompasses a huge range of types from Russia, China, the US and beyond. Located on Harvard Lane at Ardmore Airport, the group now have a visitor centre and considerable warbird educational resource.
“Ardmore is the home of New Zealand Warbirds so I have been a member right from the start. As you can imagine it is a privilege to fly these historic planes,” Liz says.
The group support pilots wanting to fly warbirds and work hard to get the aircraft out and about at airshows and open days.
About ten years ago, Liz began flying in the ‘Roaring Forties’ aerobatic display team. Flying ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers, the Roaring Forties team are the flag bearers of the New Zealand Warbirds Association. Again it was the challenge, Liz says, that drew her in to this demanding flying role where precision aerobatics are performed in front of large crowds. But it is also the opportunity to honour those that flew the aircraft in combat, when the team undertake flypasts at ANZAC and other commemorative services.
Always cool and calm, Liz takes each new challenge in her stride and has also been a display pilot at the popular Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow since 2000, piloting the P-40 Kittyhawk as well as the Harvards.
Five years ago, when the Civil Aviation Authority approved a rule change to allow paying passengers into warbirds, Liz and Frank began Warbird Adventure Rides. The couple take people for the flight of their life in their AT-6 Harvard, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk or in a colleague’s Supermarine Spitfire.
Customers are universally thrilled with their experience and comments on social media tell the story best, such as the following… “This is the sort of place where you want to just go back and sit near the hangars, even if it's raining, even to just play cards, beside some of the most beautiful and well cared for classic Warbird aircraft.”
So between flying 767s, taking joyrides in WWII fighters and working the airshow circuit, does Liz have time for anything else? Well, yes, she has her own flying school at Ardmore and in 1983 became the first woman in New Zealand to gain an A Category instructors rating. An ‘A Cat’, as it is known in aviation circles, is the highest possible qualification for instructors and Liz’s school has been described as one of New Zealand’s premier training facilities.
Her influence in the aviation world continues to be felt strongly throughout New Zealand, particularly as a great inspiration to Kiwi women.
www.nzawa.org.nz website
Nor can I find any credits from the NZ Warbirds. Interestingly her claim to have been trained by military pilots has disappeared from the wiki entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Curtis-Taylor
This is Liz Needham, a true aviatrix.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 11th Mar 2017 at 23:26.
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re. "her claim to have been trained by military pilots has disappeared from the wiki entry" - how odd - her web page Tracey Curtis Taylor - Aviatrix, Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker still says
"Shortly after her return Tracey migrated to New Zealand and began flying in earnest. She gained her private pilot’s licence, commercial licence and an instructor rating and, unusual for a woman, was trained by military pilots to fly World War II aeroplanes with the New Zealand Warbird Association." (my bold)
"Shortly after her return Tracey migrated to New Zealand and began flying in earnest. She gained her private pilot’s licence, commercial licence and an instructor rating and, unusual for a woman, was trained by military pilots to fly World War II aeroplanes with the New Zealand Warbird Association." (my bold)
Last edited by LeicesterH; 11th Mar 2017 at 16:29. Reason: C&P fonts were 'odd'
She went to South Africa in 1982 where she worked for
several months before returning to the UK overland in a Bedford truck - a journey that took
five months camping through savannah, jungle and desert.
I wonder where she wants us to think that "jungle" was ?
several months before returning to the UK overland in a Bedford truck - a journey that took
five months camping through savannah, jungle and desert.
I wonder where she wants us to think that "jungle" was ?
According to her Facebook page a few hours ago:
"The Spirit 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."
Hopefully she should be then be available to answer a few questions and clear up any unfortunate misunderstandings that seem to have arisen.
"The Spirit 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."
Hopefully she should be then be available to answer a few questions and clear up any unfortunate misunderstandings that seem to have arisen.
Last comment on that Facebook entry is from someone 'hoping I'll run into you on the circuit'. Evidence shows it's likely to be the other way round...
I think she's delusional if she believes it's going to be 'business as usual' for next season.
I think she's delusional if she believes it's going to be 'business as usual' for next season.
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As they say in Newfoundland "The lady seems to be a few planks short of a full load" I find it appalling that so called "reputed organisations" still haven't withdrawn the awards they gave her, there MUST be other reasons why they have not done this, they are now becoming the laughing stock of the industry, unfortunately the Mods have a difficult task in this age of liability, but at least one of them knows the REAL reason.
Last edited by clunckdriver; 14th Mar 2017 at 15:12.
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Clare Prop , that was an incredible bit of You-Tube footage with Janine Shepherd . It was moving enough just hearing about her bike crash, but the aviation content at the end was just fantastic ....
I'm sure that TC-T probably has a bit of an aversion to You-Tube after the "Herne Bay Tapes", but had she not been caught out , then she could have taken a few pointers from Ms Shepherd. Too late now unfortunately.
THAT,,,,,,,,is what an 'inspirational speaker' sounds like . And for 'the avoidance of embarrassment', I will desist in mentioning Janine's flying achievements .
I'm sure that TC-T probably has a bit of an aversion to You-Tube after the "Herne Bay Tapes", but had she not been caught out , then she could have taken a few pointers from Ms Shepherd. Too late now unfortunately.
THAT,,,,,,,,is what an 'inspirational speaker' sounds like . And for 'the avoidance of embarrassment', I will desist in mentioning Janine's flying achievements .
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The TCT fiasco has been brought home to me even more today with the news of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter crash. The captain happens to have been female but that fact is not the reason for this comment. This dreadful and tragic accident illustrates the risks taken by the crews. It demonstrates their dedication and bravery. It also demonstrates the absolutely farcical nature of the awards given to TCT and the shallowness therein. A very sad day.
Seconded Lind, I'm afraid there is nothing more I could add.
Three missing crew members from Rescue 116 named as tributes pour in for mum-of-one Captain Dara Fitzpatrick - Independent.ie
Three missing crew members from Rescue 116 named as tributes pour in for mum-of-one Captain Dara Fitzpatrick - Independent.ie
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Lind, Megan
I could not agree more! What an awful tragedy (regardless of the pilot's gender!). We should never take for granted what those manning the rescue helos do for us: especially those of us who regularly fly SEPs over water.
But it does put TCT's "achievements" into a sad but telling context.
I could not agree more! What an awful tragedy (regardless of the pilot's gender!). We should never take for granted what those manning the rescue helos do for us: especially those of us who regularly fly SEPs over water.
But it does put TCT's "achievements" into a sad but telling context.
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