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-   -   Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads) (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying/579030-tracey-curtis-taylor-merged-threads.html)

Sir Niall Dementia 12th Jul 2016 10:26

I'm sure you'll all be delighted to know she landed at Farnborough International Airshow yesterday with only a couple of bounces and one swerve..

She managed to miss all the parked aircraft.

With the truth coming out the way it is I'm amazed she had the front to turn up.

No doubt she will now be an FIA display pilot too:E

I have to pay LAA membership as I own a permit aircraft, I object to the LAA paying any expenses that may have been incurred to give her an award.

TCT, you have done nothing to promote women in aviation, you have accepted awards based on false claims, do aviation a favour and push off and sail solo around the world (a couple of times on the trot should be enough absence to bring my temper back under control)

You are a disgrace to aviation, and an utter disgrace to women aviators. I work with quite a few and their general opinion is that you are a fraud, and an unskilled show off with a "ME!" ME!" complex.

One lady 777 captain I was talking to the other day has followed this thread and your other antics, her word for you was "pathetic."

SND

Piltdown Man 12th Jul 2016 10:38

Thanks airpolice. But returning to where this thread started, there's a really good image on Facebook of the front page of the Times, 2 October 2015. You don't need a magnifying glass to read that the London to Australia flight was intended to be solo. Presumably the Times got it wrong as well.

PM

Mike Flynn 12th Jul 2016 12:46

Regarding the Shuttleworth claims this is from Execujet,one of her sponsors.


Returning permanently to the UK in 1997, Tracey became the first female pilot to be based at the historic Shuttleworth Collection at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
http://www.xtoday.news/media/50101/e...cy-for-khl.pdf

The information would have originated from Tracey.

It is true the Spirit of Artifice was hangared there for a while but that does not make her a Shuttleworth Collection pilot.

Clare Tector gained that distinction.

History will be made this year when Clare Tector takes part in her first show as a Collection Pilot. She will be the first woman flying for the Collection since its inception. Clare has been working as ground crew and displaying at Old Warden, most notably in Taylorcraft and Chilton, for a number of years. Resistance was ultimately futile and she was assimilated!
https://manonthefence.wordpress.com/...iningweek2011/

TCT describes her occupation as pilot in all interviews despite only having a UK ppl and an expired NZ instructors ticket.

treadigraph 12th Jul 2016 13:03

Her PT-22 was kept at Shuttleworth for several years and she certainly displayed it there - I saw her do so at a couple of their airshows.


"Tracey became the first female pilot to be based at the historic Shuttleworth Collection" does not translate as a claim she flew the Collection's aircraft.

fwjc 12th Jul 2016 13:04

Tracey was never a Collection Pilot. She did keep a couple of aeroplanes hangared at Old Warden. These were not necessarily with the Collection, although sometimes the Ryan was in the main hangars. With that in mind there are dozens of aeroplanes at Old Warden, including those whose aeroplanes are displayed in the main hangars. None of these pilots claim to be "Shuttleworth based", although they happily keep their aeroplanes at Old Warden.

The EJ description is cleverly worded to imply far more kudos than is actually there.

As for formation flying, I would have no issue flying formation with Tracey. She flies very well. I just don't like her PR machine and the inaccuracies that are encouraged for personal benefit.

Mike Flynn 12th Jul 2016 13:11

Point taken fwjc and I should say I have never questioned her flying ability but she appears to have serious issues with long cross country flying hence Ewald up front.

Had she done the trips alone this thread would not exist.

She certainly has no problems with embroidering her background and experience as the posts from canopener reveal.

He is better quaified than anyone to tell the truth about Tracey :ok:

9 lives 12th Jul 2016 13:39


Had she done the trips alone this thread would not exist.
The broken Stearman might have slipped quietly by, but I'm sure someone would have eventually noticed the cut up R44...

Pilots I respect take the time to assure the greatest possible safety moving forward.

flybymike 12th Jul 2016 13:55



TCT, you have done nothing to promote women in aviation, you have accepted awards based on false claims, do aviation a favour and push off and sail solo around the world (a couple of times on the trot should be enough absence to bring my temper back under control)

You are a disgrace to aviation, and an utter disgrace to women aviators. I work with quite a few and their general opinion is that you are a fraud, and an unskilled show off with a "ME!" ME!" complex.

One lady 777 captain I was talking to the other day has followed this thread and your other antics, her word for you was "pathetic."
Such incredible nastiness and vitriol directed at another human being. We long ago "exposed" this matter. Haranguing by the vigilante mob for the sake of it, is unnecessary and distasteful.

Sir Niall Dementia 12th Jul 2016 14:29

And I stick by it. A while ago I found her mildly entertaining, (see my earlier posts), but she has actually achieved nothing that special, and seems determined to earn a living by what essentially amounts to fraud. She cheerfully tramples on the achievements of great lady pilots of the past, and ignores the fact that today aviation doesn't care whether a pilot is male or female, they are pilots.

I met T C-T at Goodwood a few years ago (pre R44), she was loving the publicity and her team were carefully heading off awkward questions, not mine but from a lady pilot i was with. The truth couldn't get in the way of a good story.

SND

Parson 12th Jul 2016 14:55

flybymike,

Au contraire - it is interesting to hear female pilots' views on this.

Stanwell 12th Jul 2016 15:14

Thank you for that bulk delivery of bile, flybymike.
We didn't really need that much, but I'm sure what's left over can be used elsewhere.

In any case, I think your delivery was really intended for the "Most Venerable Order of Vengeful Vigilantes" - they're down the corridor, three doors along.
I think I can see how your confusion came about.
They are, you may not know, a fully accredited sister movement of our well-respected "Ignoble Company of Witch-Hunters" - and you're disrupting our meeting.

I'm afraid that sanctimonious and 'holier than thou' angle has been tried on a few times previously and it just doesn't wash, you seem not to have noticed.
Do try to come up with something original.

The wilful and calculated deceptions that we have taken exception to on here are ongoing.
Despite all that has been brought to her attention, the concerns of many in the aviation community appear to have been responded to with, not only the one-fingered salute, but even greater lies.
The most outrageous of these is happening right at the moment, in case you hadn't noticed.

She's now loudly and emotionally crying to the gullibles of this world that those who had brought the most blatant fraud to our attention are making "False Allegations".
She had never claimed that she was doing or had done anything solo - it's all in our imagination and anybody who disagrees can only be motivated by malice.

... It's sounding very much to me that you agree with her moral standards and support her stance on that.
.

Mike Flynn 12th Jul 2016 15:16

If you want some relief from the Walter Mitty world of TCT check out 18 year old Lachlan Smart who is attempting to become the worlds youngest solo pilot.

He has just crossed the Pacific from the East Coast of Australia to Hawaii.

Pilots Blog, Week 1: Paradise, Giants and an island called Christmas, Part II | Wings Around the World

Here is his description of Kiribati to Hawaii.


Refuelling was a bit of fun, with the fuel coming in drums from a little truck due to the more remote nature of Kiribati. After clearing the fuel as ok to put into the aircraft, using a special test kit, the refueller hand pumped while I nozzled the wing tanks and finally the ferry tank. Following that little experience I headed to my hotel for some food and well earned rest after a long day.

Now remember the remoteness of Kiribati, small pacific island, with no fuel bowsers, just pre-ordered drums. Well, the accommodation was also a little way off the great streak I had enjoyed to that point. But I guess to be expected.

There was a gap under the door big enough that you could have driven a crane through. As well as the half a door, the lights were only partially working and the bed was smaller than me but that’s ok. I was so tired I really didn’t mind and I just needed sleep.

So I went to have a shower before getting some dinner but the showerhead was missing and the taps were broken, so I decided some deodorant would do the trick and headed off to the “restaurant”.

The room I had dinner in, on plastic deck chairs, was pleasant enough and after a few failed attempts at trying to get food (as they didn’t have it) I managed to get some spicy chicken, which I am hoped I wouldn’t regret later on.

I headed back into my room, checked the bed for crabs or any other creature, and fell into a coma for the next 7 hours.

Upon waking up and packing everything away Tiote greeted me and we zoomed to the airport in the little Toyota Starlet. Now when I say zoomed, I mean we entered the Christmas Island rally championship: in position 1, Tiote and Lachie; in position two was Crab Lowndes; and position 3 we had Lightning McCrab. We won.

When I reached the aeroplane I pre-flighted it and ensured everything was set for departure. I jumped in a tried to contact San Francisco on the radio but had no luck. After a few phone calls and eventually talking to the flight information service when they woke up, I managed to get the HF frequencies in use for today and set off for my next destination, the 50th state of the USA – Hawaii!

The flight crossing the ITCZ in the northern hemisphere was much better and the team back home guided me around the storm cells using the satellite feed and satellite data of the weather, it’s important to remember that this whole journey is largely reliant on teamwork! It was actually quite a nice flight with everything going pretty well including communications, and a great destination up ahead.

Hawaii will be a stop where I spend more than two days on the ground, a nice break as I draw close to the end of my first week away!

As always, any questions feel free to comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.a...4-1038x576.jpg
http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.a.../07/image2.jpg

No high end hotels,people to carry luggage, co-pilot or chase plane. No media circus on arrival just a brave young man hoping to achieve his dream.

Good luck Lachlan:D:D

9 lives 12th Jul 2016 16:44


Haranguing by the vigilante mob for the sake of it, is unnecessary and distasteful.
For myself, I see it not as haranguing, but rather actively not surrendering the sense of honour felt by those who dislike TCT's continued misleading self promotion. If TCT can press ahead with her continuation of self promotion, It sounds fair to me that some people continue to express dislike for that.

If TCT went public with some truths, and withdrawing from accolades, she might get some tolerance - she has not committed a crime, just a dishonour. But in my opinion, it would be wrong for her to wait it out with her heels dug in, then continue as though nothing had been wrong when dissenters quieted in time.

Mike Flynn 12th Jul 2016 17:14

As I have said before the sad thing about this saga is the way the HCAP and LAA have allowed themselves to be party to the fraud.

I reposted the HCAP letter a few pages back to remind you all of their intention to give her a Masters Medal for what was perceived to be a solo flight from the UK to Sydney.

When the truth emerged they moved the goalposts to something along the lines of furthering or promoting women in aviation. From her website all I see are a few well arranged staged events for the press and media.

Flying a biplane with an airline pilot in the front seat and a backup entourage aircraft carrying luggage and servants is hardly at the Mother Teresa level of charity. In fact it reminds me of how adventure was done back in the days of the British Empire.


Brave, courageous & adventurous solo female pilot “Tracey Curtis” landed in Gwadar & then in Karachi. Having successfully flown from Cape Town to GoodWood in 2013, Tracey Curtis-Taylor is now taking on the challenge of flying her beautiful open cockpit vintage biplane to Australia. Tracey’s flight is in honor of Amy Johnson and her epic solo flight to Australia in 1930 which astounded the world. Where possible, Tracey will be following Amy’s route and reliving the story of her dramatic adventures, reckless bravery and one of the greatest solo achievements in history. It is also pays tribute to the many courageous pioneering aviators of the 1920’s and 30’s who prepared the way for air travel as we know it today. As with the African expedition, the flight to Australia will recreate the essence of the period; open cockpit, stick and rudder flying with basic period instruments and a short range between landing points which will involve frequent stops in some remote parts of the world. A small support crew travelling in a light modern aircraft will record and capture the epic journey and the wonders of crossing three continents in a vintage open cockpit biplane. Day to day news will be posted on an interactive website and the whole adventure will be made into a documentary series for broadcast. There are few period pictures and little in the way of movie records of the early flights, so this documentary footage will not only help to keep the history alive, but will be used to educate a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. In this way, Tracey hopes to provide young people with an enthralling example of adventure that reflects the great achievements of our pioneering forebears.
Or as they say in PR circles a nice photo op.

The same mantra repeated around the world to the gullible press.

As for empowering women.....all I see is the same old story repeated throughout history

Money often buys status and awards.

piperboy84 12th Jul 2016 17:44


Flying a biplane with an airline pilot in the front seat and a backup entourage aircraft carrying luggage and servants is hardly at the Mother Teresa level of charity. In fact it reminds me of how adventure was done back in the days of the British Empire.
On a lighter note, it does make for quite a funny visual her alighting out of the gleaming Stearman at some desert airstrip all dolled up like she's just walked off the set of The English Patient, then in a finger snapping princessy manner gives poor old Sam a right bollocking for not get the Louis Vuitton's loaded into a back of the Range Rover fast enough for dispatch to the fancy hotel.

Maybe its just me, but I got a chuckle out of that.

Jetblu 12th Jul 2016 17:54

Generally, people take no notice of him, or perhaps just pacifies him with his one liners.

Anyway, I agree with most of what you have said Step Turn, but I still don't agree with this...."she has not committed a crime, just a dishonour".


It's clear, very clear, and cannot be made any clearer.


1. Fraud by False Representation

A person commits the offence of fraud by false representation if he/she dishonestly makes a false representation and intends, by making the representation, to make a gain for him/herself or another, or to cause loss to another, or to expose another to a risk of loss.

A representation is false if it is untrue or misleading and the person making it knows that it is, or might be, untrue or misleading.



Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006

josher 12th Jul 2016 18:16

Posted elsewher but relevant here

more anoying than the truth economy that has gone on with TCT circus is the fact she sucked all the publicity and consequent sponsorship from the plan by Amanada Harrison - someone with the genuine intention enthusiasm and capability to fly solo to oz in a moth.
Then of course there is Johan Wiklund who has already done the north cape to cape town trip solo in a moth major Cape to Cape - Johan Wiklund SAS pilot on an adventure with no sponsorship or much publicity. A man truly deserving of an award.

No connection with either other than great admiration

Stanwell 12th Jul 2016 18:17

... "Money often buys status and awards."

Tracey Curtis-Taylor, OBE, OPM and Bar*.
Very soon to be awarded a Masters Medal (MM) by the Honourable(sic) Company for .. 'Having gotten away with it so far'.

In news just to hand, the ICWH's Trophies and Awards Committee is shortly expected to announce an appropriate recognition of TCT's contribution to
the credibility, and, elevating and the respectability of, con-merchants and scammers worldwide.
We'll keep you updated on that.



*Other Buggers' Efforts and Other People's Money. :ok:

Mike Flynn 12th Jul 2016 18:32

The press and world media were sucked in to the carefully contrived image as piperboy84 observes.

The Stearman,dress style and marketing has been excellent.

Sadly other less funded image conscious but better qualified women pilots such as Amanda Harrision are sidelined.

https://vimeo.com/110778278

I have no doubt there are many pilots both male and female who could challenge Amy Johnsons record in a DH Tiger Moth with sponsorship.

If I was giving Tracey any award tomorrow it would be for climbing the slippery social ladder to the top with no obvious citable history.

No record of her schools,university or indeed any background pre 2014.

The problem with playing the publicity game is it often comes back to bite as she has discovered with the Daily Mail.

India Four Two 12th Jul 2016 23:52

Maybe due to my advancing years, I'm getting a bit slow on the uptake, but after connecting the dots from some of the posts on this thread and picking up a few external hints, I did a bit of Googling (well, actually DuckDuckGoing).

I have deduced that the hyphenated T in TCT's moniker was acquired from Steve Taylor, a well-known Kiwi aerobatic and Harvard pilot. Can anyone confirm this?

India Four Two 13th Jul 2016 04:00

I have just found a very interesting audio interview with TCT by the highly-respected CBC Radio current affairs program As It Happens:

Audio | CBC Radio

There is a text report about the interview, with pictures:

Pilot 'unscathed' after her beloved vintage plane crashes in Arizona desert - Home | As It Happens | CBC Radio

This is the first time I have ever heard TCT speak and I have to say she comes across as very credible and authoritative. I was listening quite carefully and I think she only said "we" once, otherwise it was all "I" and "my plane". Not a peep about her "passenger".

Here are two quotes from the interview which I found particularly ironic:


Suddenly all these privileged, wealthy women were buying biplanes, and heading down the British Empire.

I just passionately want to do it in my own airplane. We've come so far together, I just can't consider not doing it in the Spirit of Artemis.

Stanwell 13th Jul 2016 06:45

India Four Two, re your post #842...
Apparently, yes, it is that Steve Taylor. Posts 810, 811 and 814 refer.

Flyingmac 13th Jul 2016 07:44


Originally Posted by Grayfly (Post 9437482)
Duxford Spring Air Show Line up 2011

Ryan PT-22 Pair T Curtis-Taylor & S Roberts T

Photograph of Aircraft G-BTBH

Stanwell 13th Jul 2016 11:54

I wonder how many UK taxpayers are aware that they've been generously contributing to TCT's ongoing scam, hmm?

It would seem that, if the prominence of advertising on the "Spirit of Artifice" is anything to go by, then Her Majesty's Government would be TCT's second largest sponsor, behind Artemis Investments.
Observers will have noticed the large Union Flag immediately below the front cock-pit(sic) topped with the message .."GREAT Britain".

Now, how did that come about, you may ask?
Well, an acquaintance of Tracey's, The Honourable(sic) Maria Miller, the now-disgraced former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Cameron's cabinet, possibly thought it would be a good idea to dip into the exchequer to give Tracey a bit of a financial leg-up as well as some credibility.
Why?
"To inspire people to visit the country she (TCT) comes from", of course.
That was in November 2013 when the "Solo Aviatrix" scam was just gaining momentum.
No doubt those two girls had a good chat - it seems they have a few things in common.

Maria Miller was forced to resign from Cabinet for a significant 'fiddling of the books' and she was also in big trouble for attempted media manipulation.
The problems were that:
1). Even David Cameron and his establishment mates could not save her from the wrath of Parliament.
2). She tried on the media manipulation stunt with the wrong newspaper - The Telegraph.

So, taxpayers of the UK, I hope you're comfortable in the knowledge that your taxation contributions have provided Tracey (and others) with some pretty fair tuition in
the darker arts as well as helping maintain her in the style to which she's lately become accustomed.
A sad thing is, Maria Miller hasn't, in the end, been able to edit and polish her Wikipedia page.
Perhaps Tracey could show her how.
.

Jetblu 13th Jul 2016 11:59

India Four Two

In just those two [2] links that you provided, I've now counted twenty seven [27] false representations, and I could not have possibly seen or heard all the press releases based upon the spiel that she has given all. It cannot be argued that she didn't know the actual truthful facts. It cannot even be argued that she got herself excited over a specific point and just made a fanciful representation, can it.

This woman intends to make a living for financial reward by being a self proclaimed 'inspirational speaker'.

We heard very creditable evidence at post #739 which confirmed that anybody listening to her nonsense as an 'inspirational speaker' would genuinely believe that she flew these flights as the only pilot aboard.

Listen to the audio yourself. Read that text, and then you will see how Section 2 applies IMHO.


1. Fraud by False Representation

A person commits the offence of fraud by false representation if he/she dishonestly makes a false representation and intends, by making the representation, to make a gain for him/herself or another, or to cause loss to another, or to expose another to a risk of loss.

A representation is false if it is untrue or misleading and the person making it knows that it is, or might be, untrue or misleading.


Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006

Mike Flynn 13th Jul 2016 17:35

Masters Medal
 
A few pages back I again posted the original letter from the past Master of the HCAP regarding the 2016 Masters Medal.

It is worth noting the reply from the current Master of the HGAP regarding their award to Tracey Curtis Taylor.

This was sent to Daily Mail journalist Dave Jarvis on the 31st May this year when the HCAP were asked to comment.


Dear Dave.

We spoke last week, and I promised you a short written statement. The statement is as below:

"The Honourable Company of Air Pilots has awarded Tracey Curtis Taylor The Master’s Medal for organising an aviation expedition from the UK to Australia, retracing the route flown by Amy Johnson as a tribute to her, which formed part of a wider promotional endeavour to encourage females into aviation. There was one specific, principal aim in mind: to promote aviation to many thousands of youngsters, especially women, across the globe for whom flying is a distant, even unknown or seemingly unachievable activity. This is particularly relevant when an estimated 400,000 new commercial pilots are needed worldwide in the next twenty years to meet anticipated growth. The Master’s award recognises Tracey Curtis-Taylor’s work in raising awareness of science and technology in general, and aviation in particular, amongst young women across the world”.
That statement is completely different to the January letter.



The story sold to the world's media was solo flight to Australia. There has never been any mention of an airline pilot also being in the front seat.

The letter above and the statement from Peter Benn, a former airline pilot and barrister, makes no mention of airline pilot Ewald Gritsch or the part he played by being on board.

At no stage did Tracey ever reveal to the press there Ewald was on board until this thread started on pprune. She let all the UK nationals newspapers and ITN believe it was a solo trip.

Apart from a few well staged press events I fail to appreciate how she has furthered women in aviation.

What has she done apart from fly in and fly out of countries like a high society tourist. I suspect leaving the impression networking connections and lots of other people money gets you to the top.

Are we being unfair? I would love to hear from the British Women Pilots Association. Or the thousand of women who fly commercial aircraft alongside their counterparts everyday.

By contrast Amanda Harrison is open and honest about how she became the only female Commercial Tiger Moth pilot in the UK.


Always wanting to fly, Amanda left school at the age of 15 with no useful qualifications, with one teacher saying all she would be good for is stacking shelves in a supermarket. So after working hard to obtain her Commercial Pilots License and follow one of her dreams she now fly’s Tiger Moths for a living.
It is worth noting despite all her claims in the press and on wiki her occupation as a pilot Tracey Curtis only holds a UK ppl and has never achieved a CPL.

piperboy84 13th Jul 2016 17:56


Tracey Curtis only holds a UK ppl and has never achieved a CPL
I thought she had a Kiwi instructors ticket which I assume would mean she'd have picked up a commercial rating along the way?

9 lives 13th Jul 2016 18:12

To quote a quote:


There was one specific, principal aim in mind: to promote aviation to many thousands of youngsters, especially women, across the globe for whom flying is a distant, even unknown or seemingly unachievable activity.
I think TCT got this about as backward as possible! She and her team flew at least two rather expensive to operate aircraft, through parts of the world where they were hardly visible to anyone for vast distances, burning through immense amounts of money, costing an R44 it's life, and a fortune to repair the Stearman - how much was spent on all of that?

Or, take all that money, and give it to the HCAP instead, and ask them to spend it wisely, and as broadly as possible, to get as many pilot wannabes into the sky, and scholarship some of the better ones.

TCT could then go on the talking circuit, saying that X number of people went for their first flight, and Z people were offered a scholarship, and she was proudly selling real estate to pay for the flying she wanted to do locally for her on entertainment.

I've been thinking about some comments here saying TCT has been jeered enough. Well some accident pilots have had a tough ride in the threads, and what they did was a one time accident (maybe error in judgement) not multiple deliberate deceits! The accidents are bad, and cause us to speculate on the pilot's skill and caution, but we've never discussed an accident pilot doing it deliberately (German wings and Egypt Air copilot actions notwithstanding). We have discussed TCT misrepresenting facts repeatedly, and then expending effort to cover it up, and redirect criticism, rather than admitting wrongdoing. Those were no accidents! And, those actions had the affect of diverting generous donations away from young people ho might get a step up, into expensive self serving flying.

Mike Flynn 13th Jul 2016 18:12

I merely mention her UK ppl on which she is allowed the fly the Spirit of Artemis on a piggyback US private licence. I suspect her NZ instructor/commercial licence is long lapsed.

In my book it is not possible to state your occupation as pilot if only holding a ppl.

She is very good at receiving undeserved awards.

Here she is collecting another.
http://www.birdinabiplane.com/images/speaking4.jpg


Tracey being presented with the award for best civilian aircraft at the
2013 Royal International Air Tattoo
source http://www.birdinabiplane.com/speaking/

Ewald Gritsch owns and rebuilt the Stearman and all she did was stand in front of it suggesting ownership.

It reminds me of the many times I have seen wealthy people buy a fully restored classic car and the following week win a Concours d'Elegance.

Jetblu 13th Jul 2016 18:40

If Peter Benn did write that statement, I'm shocked. He should have known better.

Deceiving and tricking young children is not the way forward in promoting any profession. He should know that I would hope.

The ONLY reason that these children said "congratulations Tracy" was because...

A. They were made to genuinely believe that she was to be congratulated.
B. They were not formly introduced to her ATPL instructor.
C. The mechanics of the scandal look good with children involved "Tracy'll Fix it"

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...17633833913%2F

This is going from bad to worse, isn't it.

Tracey being presented with the award for best civilian aircraft at the
2013 Royal International Air Tattoo
source Tracey Curtis Taylor - Aviatrix, Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker

Ewald Gritsch owns and rebuilt the Stearman and all she did was stand in front.

She has told the world that the Stearman is hers, despite it belonging and registered to EG. Can you honestly imagine her telling the RIA any different?

Stanwell 13th Jul 2016 20:50

Re the 'unsuccessful take-off' at Winslow...
I had a look at the NTSB website to see if they'd published their final report on the incident.
There's hardly more information than was contained within the Preliminary Report.

It appears that the NTSB did not send an investigator to the site, nor were the engine or systems examined over there to determine the cause of
the unexplained "sudden loss of power".
Aside from noting the weather conditions at the time and the runway orientation and dimensions (7100ft x 150ft), the only things of interest were that
the intended flight to Phoenix was listed as 'Private' and the reason for the trip was 'Personal'.
The Conclusion relies on TCT's account of what happened.

Danny42C had, earlier in this thread, suggested that, in light of his experience with PT-17s, the prop could have inadvertently, prematurely
been knocked into coarse pitch.
I'm aware that TCT had initially claimed that the FBO had provided them with crook fuel. For some reason, she didn't mention that again.
Has anybody heard anything more that would account for the claimed 300rpm drop?
.

India Four Two 13th Jul 2016 23:19


Danny42C had, earlier in this thread, suggested that, in light of his experience with PT-17s, the prop could have inadvertently, prematurely been knocked into coarse pitch.
Here's a cockpit picture from Ewald's website:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...sxt7qeovh.jpeg

I have only flown a fixed-pitch Stearman, so I wasn't sure where the prop control would be. I notice that the mixture and prop knobs are very similar, so I could see how you might push the mixture control to Full Rich if you weren't looking. Perhaps Danny could comment?

Also, what's the red lever below and aft of the throttle quadrant? I've forgotten.

27/09 13th Jul 2016 23:41

I would expect not all HCAP members are happy with the situation. I'd also suggests those involved in the original decision to make the award are trying to find a way out of the sticky situation they now find themselves in. Once you have honey or jam on you fingers, how do you get it off without causing a bigger mess or much embarrassment?

When you compare the two letters from HCAP to TCT there is a huge back down in the second letter compared to the original letter.

Having said that as a non HCAP member I think the most Honourable thing to do would be not to make any award to TCT.

Has anyone bothered to verify exactly how much TCT did

in raising awareness of science and technology in general, and aviation in particular, amongst young women across the world
Perhaps these claims are also a fabrication?






Disclaimer:
I have no association with HCAP (GAPAN et al). In fact I always seen them as an organisation looking for a cause to support. In other words have wondered what exactly the need for their existence was. If they'd been successful in their original aims as listed on their website there'd be no need for the likes of IALPA and other pilot support organisations etc.

piperboy84 13th Jul 2016 23:45


I could see how you might push the mixture control to Full Rich if you weren't
I know nothing about the Stearman but if she was on the initial part of the take off/climb out, the throttle and prop are going to be full forward and the mixture leaned out (back) with no need for adjustments till a safe and sufficient altitude is attained, so I can't see her inadvertently pushing or pulling anything.

kghjfg 14th Jul 2016 02:01

27/09

If you got jam on your hands...

What you'd do is wash your hands of the affair, and come out clean. You'd have a quiet word with TCT and say "We need to rescind the award, I suggest you do not accept it, if you do that, it'll be like it never happened, the naysayers will have no where else to go with it, it'll die a death"

In reality I'm not being harsh, as I have said before, it is totally within their power to put an end to being involved with the circus, but they obviously really want to give TCT an award don't they ?

I mean they REALLY want to give her an award for something, doesn't matter what.
You think she's the only female aviator promoting aviation ? She's not even the best one at that either.

You say it would be the HONOURABLE thing to do, but it has been made obvious HCAP are not ACTUALLY honorable are they.

As I say, displaying the same integrity as TCT. You think anyone in HCAP gives a fig ? They'll be queuing up for selfies with her in October at the ceremony.

Just to reiterate, they disgust me more than TCT now. You think they care what I or anyone thinks of them though ? The way they have acted, I would say obviously not.

Anyway, I'm not really that fussed, it won't actually affect my life. I just think it's a sad role model of how to act for our children. I wonder why we're not GREAT Britain any more ?
Oh that's right, it's because we reward people for acting like this.

canopener 14th Jul 2016 05:33


Originally Posted by Sir Niall Dementia (Post 9437507)
I'm sure you'll all be delighted to know she landed at Farnborough International Airshow yesterday with only a couple of bounces and one swerve..

She managed to miss all the parked aircraft.

With the truth coming out the way it is I'm amazed she had the front to turn up.

No doubt she will now be an FIA display pilot too:E

I have to pay LAA membership as I own a permit aircraft, I object to the LAA paying any expenses that may have been incurred to give her an award.

TCT, you have done nothing to promote women in aviation, you have accepted awards based on false claims, do aviation a favour and push off and sail solo around the world (a couple of times on the trot should be enough absence to bring my temper back under control)

You are a disgrace to aviation, and an utter disgrace to women aviators. I work with quite a few and their general opinion is that you are a fraud, and an unskilled show off with a "ME!" ME!" complex.

One lady 777 captain I was talking to the other day has followed this thread and your other antics, her word for you was "pathetic."

SND

So "I pranged my beloved open cockpit vintage biplane" on 16 May 2016 and a very good job done.Once the US officials had finished with the accident the open cockpit vintage biplane was containerised and shipped to Hungary where a remarkably efficient and speedy rebuild was completed.In less than six weeks the Spirit of Artifice is back in the air (8/7/16) and turns up at Farnborough on the 12/7/2016.Now I have had a lot to do with aircraft rebuilds over the years and this particular one would have to break all records.Most repairs,let alone rebuilds, take about 10 times longer than estimated so I think another fraud has taken place.The spirit of artifice has got a double!!!!!

Mike Flynn 14th Jul 2016 06:22

Looking at the pictures of the Arizona accident it would take a lot of work to fix.
The airframe is completely wrecked and the engine shockloaded.
Ewald has a big stock of parts including fuselage kits,wings,engines,props etc.
I wonder how much of what is below was used in the rebuild? At least they saved money on the shipping.
The wreck would have fitted in a much smaller box.

One other thing puzzles me. The pictures were taken by either TCT or Ewald immediately after the accident. The sky is blue and that part of the world has little rain however the rear cockpit has been covered. I can only assume to hide something.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/741...x2-940x627.jpg
http://www.flyingmag.com/sites/flyin...bWGXC&fc=50,50

Stanwell 14th Jul 2016 07:25

Hide something?
Most likely the brown stains on the upholstery. :E


p.s. How much was used in the rebuild?
I'ts fairly simple - you just jack up the maker's plate and wheel a new airframe underneath.
Ewald has a virtual Stearman production-line going over at 3G.

I can just imagine Ewald's phone-call from the Hotel-Suite in Phoenix to the factory in Hungary...
(To paraphrase a line from a song in the film "Easyrider") ... ".. Roll out another one - just like the other one."

.

Mike Flynn 14th Jul 2016 08:55


I'ts fairly simple - you just jack up the maker's plate and wheel a new airframe underneath.
Ewald has a virtual Stearman production-line going over at 3G.
Can you do that legally? I thought restoration and repair meant just that.

Do the FAA allow such chicanery? What about inspection and recertification following the rebuild?

Stanwell 14th Jul 2016 09:43

No problem, JS.
In UK, US and AUS, that I know of, you can effectively "restore" something around the maker's plate and have it certified as the original aircraft.

Just two examples of that would be that Spitfire, the remains of which were recovered from a French beach, (it had been sitting in the intertidal zone since 1940),
then 'restored' in the UK and which, I hear, has recently changed hands for some five million.
How much of that (engine and airframe) is original, do you think? The maker's plate is original, though.

The second is an Fw190-A5, some remains of which were recovered from under a railway yard in Rheims and, over a number of years, it was 'restored' in the US
and certified as a Focke-Wulf Fw190, rather than a Flugwerk FW190 - which some say it really is .. except for the original's maker's plate, of course.
That one is currently flying in Oz.

I could go on, but you get the picture.


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