PPRuNe Forums

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)
-   Private Flying (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying-63/)
-   -   Tracey Curtis-Taylor (Merged threads) (https://www.pprune.org/private-flying/579030-tracey-curtis-taylor-merged-threads.html)

9 lives 25th Sep 2018 15:34

Ewald has been quoted as saying the following:


A lot of pilots can tell you that TC is simply a good pilot (and navigator).

But the navigational problems TC had in Africa were caused by the lack of proper aviation maps, charts and information.
Tracey had earlier been quoted as saying:


Curtis-Taylor calls herself a "bit of a maverick".

"I have an ipad with my airspace because that's often a very difficult thing when you fly a vintage aeroplane through so many countries, crossing international borders, through military zones, restricted airspace, into international airports, it's very difficult to do with an aeroplane like this."

"This is an aerobatic aeroplane, so I can be turning steeply around things. I had a lot of training, ironically with some military pilots, and I did a little bit of display flying, and formation flying and aerobatic training, so all of that really came together for these expeditions for the sort of flying that we're doing."

"Sometimes I'm only half a wingspan away from rock faces, or flying the dead sea at about 15 feet in formation with another Stearman."

the first thing she said was "I need a drink!"

I ignored procedure,” she admits, eyes twinkling. “The place was deserted, so I just flew through the gorge. I was hauled over the coals by air traffic control for two hours.

There was another time in Uganda, when I flew into a prohibited zone. The controller gave me the wrong directions, so I ended up over the president’s house. By the time I landed, there was a summons to the tower and they tried to impound the plane. I said, 'That’s ridiculous. Arrest me instead.’”

“I’ve had some rough experiences. I’ve been made to fly at the same altitudes as commercial jets. That’s just dangerous.

"Over the sea, I was flying at 10 feet or below over breeding whales"
A pilot is required to fly prepared with suitable navigational information (charts), so if she decided that she was well enough prepared to make the flight, she would have had the charts, or other information (like an up to date database on an Ipad?), or, not make the flight. Yet she'll blame ATC for her failure to navigate (and apparently fly into restricted airspace?). A pilot is required to, or at least expected to abide by at least the spirit of regulations, if not the letter. Low flying? Harassing whales? Wingspan away from gorges walls? Turning steeply around things? Busting restricted airspace? Not actions to be proud of!

A "good pilot" (as quoted from Ewald) would not do the things which Tracey seems to have boasted about in the forgoing quote. A good pilot would be ashamed and apologetic were they have been compelled into any one of these dangerous situations. The list of dangerous flying, and the apparent eagerness to boast about it is not the stuff of a good pilot, nor one who should be awarded!

If Tracey would like be thought of as a mentor to female aviators, I am alarmed at the prospect that she would boast to those impressionable minds that such dangerous flying (including two crashes) is the way forward to be a future pilot of pride! A "good pilot" would admit, apologize, work to improve, and not boast. Other people who defend Tracey as a good pilot, to be advanced over other pilots as a model of airmanship are doing their own image a disfavour. Similarly, organizations who would award a pilot with the errors attributed to (or admitted by) Tracey diminish their own relevance.

B Fraser 25th Sep 2018 16:05


Originally Posted by Katamarino (Post 10257919)
The truth is never found 100% on one side of a story...

Mr Katamarino sir,

Let's have a look at an account of her exploits written by an independent local writer "down route". The background is that TCT spent many hours having lunch in a posh Indian hotel and this was followed up by the usual vacuous article that tends to follow such non-events. The writing style is fairly standard for this type of article written in the APAC region. The offending word appears in the second paragraph. You have to ask yourself whether the information was given during her presentation or the writer had to look it up after the event. I would expect that it was given first hand. Even then, where would the author look other than the official site for the trip ? There are also the usual references to "basic period instruments" and no mention of the latest laptops slaved to a GPS.

A high-flying lunch with British aviatrix, Tracey Curtis-Taylor at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi -

Katamarino 25th Sep 2018 16:11


Originally Posted by B Fraser (Post 10258113)
Mr Katamarino sir,

Let's have a look at an account of her exploits written by an independent local writer "down route". The background is that TCT spent many hours having lunch in a posh Indian hotel and this was followed up by the usual vacuous article that tends to follow such non-events. The writing style is fairly standard for this type of article written in the APAC region. The offending word appears in the second paragraph. You have to ask yourself whether the information was given during her presentation or the writer had to look it up after the event. I would expect that it was given first hand. Even then, where would the author look other than the official site for the trip ? There are also the usual references to "basic period instruments" and no mention of the latest laptops slaved to a GPS.

A high-flying lunch with British aviatrix, Tracey Curtis-Taylor at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi -

I was not referring to TCT's solo claims.

Katamarino 25th Sep 2018 17:25

All those pontificating about current, correct charts always being on board have clearly never flown in Africa.

Guys, you have a solid argument on the solo claims. Don't split off into things you know nothing about to try and find more mud to sling, it only adds fuel to the flames of those who accuse the PPRuNe thread of being a witch hunt.

Right Hand Thread 25th Sep 2018 18:12


Originally Posted by Katamarino (Post 10258160)
All those pontificating about current, correct charts always being on board have clearly never flown in Africa.

Guys, you have a solid argument on the solo claims. Don't split off into things you know nothing about to try and find more mud to sling, it only adds fuel to the flames of those who accuse the PPRuNe thread of being a witch hunt.

Well said. Concentrate on this and spreading the word among LAA members.

Make no mistake, this was supposed to be an ambush at the AGM. TCT and her acolytes have had months to collect votes, we have only a couple of weeks to offer a balanced view.

Above The Clouds 25th Sep 2018 18:18


Originally Posted by Katamarino (Post 10258160)
All those pontificating about current, correct charts always being on board have clearly never flown in Africa.

Guys, you have a solid argument on the solo claims. Don't split off into things you know nothing about to try and find more mud to sling, it only adds fuel to the flames of those who accuse the PPRuNe thread of being a witch hunt.

Well actually I have done a lot more flying in Africa than you realise, however as you pointed out to keep the thread on track I have duly deleted my post.

ATC

Forfoxake 25th Sep 2018 18:18


Originally Posted by Right Hand Thread (Post 10258185)
Well said. Concentrate on this and spreading the word among LAA members.

Make no mistake, this was supposed to be an ambush at the AGM. TCT and her acolytes have had months to collect votes, we have only a couple of weeks to offer a balanced view.

Well said!

Cazalet33 25th Sep 2018 19:01


There was another time in Uganda, when I flew into a prohibited zone. The controller gave me the wrong directions, so I ended up over the president’s house. By the time I landed, there was a summons to the tower and they tried to impound the plane.
Here's what Entebbe looks like on an iPad screen:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1f0840f971.jpg
The Prohibited zone looks pretty clear to me!

And HCAP gave her a prize for navigation for that?

pulse1 25th Sep 2018 20:46

Last time, TCT and her followers tried to stop the proxy votes on the grounds that those of us who voted that way did not hear her arguments and could therefore not be influenced.

So, now would be a good time and place (or the LAA website might be even better?) for her to present her arguments for the LAA to restore her award where those of us who will vote by proxy can be persuaded to change our minds.

Essentially, as far as I can see, there is only one main issue which led the majority of LAA members to vote against her two years ago. That is her false claims to have flown "solo" for her African flight for which there is indisputable evidence in the Herne Bay video and the Powerpoint presentation backdrop used at her many talks. There is also clear evidence that for most of her flights she was accompanied by Ewald, an experienced instructor, airline pilot and owner of the aircraft.

If she wants the award restored, she must explain her case to the wider LAA membership before the end of this month, I would suggest. Members will be voting soon after they receive the October issue of Light Aviation.

Right Hand Thread 25th Sep 2018 20:51


Originally Posted by pulse1 (Post 10258334)
f she wants the award restored, she must explain her case to the wider LAA membership before the end of this month, I would suggest. Members will be voting soon after they receive the October issue of Light Aviation.

That is of course only fair.

Will someone also be allowed to present the case for the other side?

Jonzarno 26th Sep 2018 00:48


Originally Posted by Right Hand Thread (Post 10258336)
That is of course only fair.

Will someone also be allowed to present the case for the other side?

I agree completely that Ms Curtis-Taylor should be afforded every opportunity to make her case. She should, however, also have her feet held to the fire to answer the Three Questions, and I give them here again so that she, and anyone going to the meeting can refer easily to them. I hope that the Mods will forgive me for quoting yet again a post I made earlier in this thread, but I am concerned that the essence of this argument may get lost in the sheer volume of, quite understandable, posts addressing other aspects of Ms Curtis-Taylor’s activities.

Here are the questions to which I believe the LAA should insist on answers before considering reinstating their award:

1. What is the reconciliation between Ms Curtis-Taylor's well documented claim to have flown her african flight "solo". Please see the video clip published earlier in this thread in which she personally makes that claim, and her subsequent public statement that the flight was not solo?

2. Given the above, what was she doing in the picture of her, published several times earlier in this thread, standing in front of a huge picture depicting the route and claiming she had been "Alone in an open cock-pit [sic] plane"?

3. By what authority, and with what qualification, does she wear RAF wings?

#3Questions

It is a shame that neither Ms Curtis-Taylor, nor any of her surrogates who have posted here and elsewhere, has yet taken the many opportunities they have been given to answer these questions of which she is well aware. Perhaps this will be her last opportunity to grasp the nettle and address them either with good answers or a genuine apology. It remains her call.

Edit: IMHO it is as much her apparent refusal to address these simple factual questions as the actual answers to them that is important for the LAA, and other bodies that have honoured her, to consider.




airpolice 26th Sep 2018 06:29

I doubt very much that any interaction she has with the audience at the AGM will be of the Q&A type.

Her supporters need to ask themselves this, are they satisfied with the answers that she has given them, to the three questions? In the event that she refuses to satisfy her own team, why are they standing by her? In the massively unlikely situation where they can be told anything that makes it all seem OK, what happens to their reputation?

I anticipate her delivering just a statement. Long, rambling and full of man hate, declaring who the main players are, in this conspiracy to subjugate all women. With of course, more of the empty threats of legal action.


The earlier point about the need for membership to be verified, prior to a vote, is sad but true.

Lind1795 26th Sep 2018 06:49

As with many others taking part in this discussion I had thought it had ceased and, whilst still irritated by Tracey's shenanigans, felt it was correct the matter should rest.
I was staggered to suddenly discover she has relit the fire. Incredible. What does this say about her and her supporters? There is a great lack of introspection on Tracey's part and inability to admit she is and has been wrong. Is this constant need to be in the limelight and absorb adoration from a variety of naïve, some not so naïve, supporters her driving force?

I am female and embarrassed beyond measure by her behaviour. I am also a pilot and feel Tracey has committed a great disservice to female pilots. Tracey has let her own sex down and as a female pilot I am abhorred at her behaviour. She has not represented female pilots well and this business to try and have the LAA award restored defies belief. Just for the record the men I have flown with (quite a few!) have not been sexist in the least.

With regard to flying and reward the greatest reward I felt was when I took a blind man and his wife and son flying. It was simply a lovely thing to have done and the gentleman concerned was an inspiring example to us all. Do you really need anything more? Just for the record I received no remuneration of any kind for this flight - I did not want it.

I sincerely hope the LAA members do not vote in Tracey's favour and this matter is put to rest once and for all. You cannot keep on having votes until you get the result you want! I also hope those other organisations who chose to heap awards on her are watching all this very carefully indeed!

newsjunkie 26th Sep 2018 08:09

Cazalet33 thank you for introducing us to the amazing Refilwe Ledwaba. What an incredible woman. Her story says it all and demonstrates what is possible if your motivations really are to inspire young people and not just to garner a public profile and build a lucrative public speaking career. Like SWB I wonder what she might have been able to do if Boeing and Artemis had given her a massive stash of cash. I also wonder how she has coped with the "institutional misogyny" of the aviation world. It’s funny that those who make accusations of misogyny never ask themselves how it is that plenty of women, as Clareprop,Lind1795 and others have pointed out, seem to be able to thrive in the industry. If they did they might realise it’s not the gender that gets people’s backs up, just the elaboration of the truth and the boasting.

SATCOS WHIPPING BOY 26th Sep 2018 09:39


Originally Posted by Lind1795 (Post 10258621)
As with many others taking part in this discussion I had thought it had ceased and, whilst still irritated by Tracey's shenanigans, felt it was correct the matter should rest.
I was staggered to suddenly discover she has relit the fire. Incredible. What does this say about her and her supporters? There is a great lack of introspection on Tracey's part and inability to admit she is and has been wrong. Is this constant need to be in the limelight and absorb adoration from a variety of naïve, some not so naïve, supporters her driving force?

I am female and embarrassed beyond measure by her behaviour. I am also a pilot and feel Tracey has committed a great disservice to female pilots. Tracey has let her own sex down and as a female pilot I am abhorred at her behaviour. She has not represented female pilots well and this business to try and have the LAA award restored defies belief. Just for the record the men I have flown with (quite a few!) have not been sexist in the least.

With regard to flying and reward the greatest reward I felt was when I took a blind man and his wife and son flying. It was simply a lovely thing to have done and the gentleman concerned was an inspiring example to us all. Do you really need anything more? Just for the record I received no remuneration of any kind for this flight - I did not want it.

I sincerely hope the LAA members do not vote in Tracey's favour and this matter is put to rest once and for all. You cannot keep on having votes until you get the result you want! I also hope those other organisations who chose to heap awards on her are watching all this very carefully indeed!

+10 for that post Lind1795.
Sums it all up rather nicely and demonstrates it is flyers of both sexes that find this all a sorry state of affairs.

We have been described as "vile internet trolls" and if that is the title given to someone willing to wade through the smoke and mirrors put up by BiaB et al then we are guilty as charged. The wealth of historical evidence to support what we have been saying for the past few years is still out there for all to see. None of this would have happened had TCT stepped up and said

"Hey, I'm sorry about the confusion, as soon as we saw the misunderstanding happening we wrote to the press and TV stations running our story to correct them" - any subsequent SOLO tales in the papers would have been brushed aside as journalistic error, we would be right behind TCT and what she was doing and none of this would be happening right now.

Same with the awards..."Thank you kindly but I cannot accept this. This was a massive team effort and wasn't done for glory - you can support us in other ways by..."

Sadly this didn't happen, the charade continues. A bloody mess fueled by a gigantic ego and it will only end in tears.

Haraka 26th Sep 2018 10:03

According to her latest Wicki version . On its history page :

"Corrected Winslow, FAA report 594567 confirms fuel contamination: "The carburetor fuel screen was removed and a gray / tan liquid was drained from the carburetor".

Sam Rutherford 26th Sep 2018 10:19

It does seem that the TCT machine is happy to continue bashing through blatant untruths!

https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20160511X13726&key=1
NTSB Identification: WPR16LA106
14 CFR Part 91: General AviationAccident occurred Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in Winslow, AZProbable Cause Approval Date: 12/12/2016Aircraft: BOEING B75N1, registration: N56200Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.The private pilot reported that, earlier in the day, she had flown three flights, totaling about 5 hours of flight time, which included uneventful takeoffs from two airports with a higher density altitude than that which existed at the accident airport; the calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was about 7,223 ft.
The pilot reported that, before takeoff for the accident flight, she conducted an engine run-up and pretakeoff checks, which included leaning the mixture to account for the density altitude. She also conducted a static-power check, which was in the normal range. The pilot reported that, during takeoff for the personal cross-country flight, the airplane accelerated and climbed out normally with the tachometer indicating 2,250 rpm. As the airplane climbed to about 50 ft above ground level, the engine began to lose power, and the airplane started to descend. The pilot turned the airplane left to maintain clearance from obstacles and verified the throttle, mixture, propeller, fuel, and carburetor heat settings. Subsequently, the airplane struck the ground and rolled about 20 ft, the right main landing gear impacted vegetation, and the airplane cart-wheeled. The pilot reported that, just before landing, she observed the tachometer indicating 2,000 rpm.It is likely that the engine’s partial loss of power, in combination with the high-density altitude, prevented the airplane from being able to maintain a positive climb rate during takeoff. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine run did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.


The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
  • The partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb in high-density altitude conditions for reasons that could not be determined because a post accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies.

My underlining, but from an official FAA document.


Just done a geo-locate on the person who changed the page again. Hungary. Hmmmm. I wonder if we know anyone based in Hungary?





Sam Rutherford 26th Sep 2018 10:31

For the removal of doubt:
  1. I have not been driving this thread, but I have been happy to supply absolutely correct and truthful information to it.
  2. I do not (still!) have any personal issues with Tracey, never have done. That may change as she tries to make it personal - though I'm trying to remain professional.
  3. My last post before the latest news broke was in July, asking people to let it drop as it had run it's course. My last post before that was in November 2017 (I, like many, have better things to do!).
  4. I've only been brought back in because the whitewashing and lies have restarted. Yes. Lies. Go on, sue me.
  5. I've now heard that from a number of sources that they have been contacted, asking for dirt on me, by Tracey and her supporters. I imagine this is part of the age-old strategy of deflection/avoidance - still trying to duck the questions that deserve answers.
  6. I guess, then, that the gloves are off and I can really go for it? Release all that I have?
Once again, I have only ever told one version of this story, it has not changed from day one (and nor will it). I suppose that we're soon to hear version 5 from TCT? For the avoidance of doubt...

Sam Rutherford 26th Sep 2018 10:37

Oh, and Ewald told me that they have changed the voting rules at the LAA (specifically with regards to Tracey).

Anyone know something about this? Perhaps not the case?

I hope not, changing the voting rules and not telling the members would be very uncool.

Sam Rutherford 26th Sep 2018 11:18

Boeing: Boeing Supporting Curtis-Taylor's S. Africa-to-UK Flight in Vintage Biplane

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 4, 2013 – With support from Boeing [NYSE: BA], pilot Tracey Curtis-Taylor has taken off on a 7,000-mile (11,000-kilometer) solo journey...


All times are GMT. The time now is 02:36.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.