Bird in biplane blames ‘old boy vendetta’ for solo f light row
THE self-styled ‘bird in a biplane’ will learn today if she has won the fight to clear her name after being stripped of a prestigious award amid claims she lied about flying solo.
Tracey Curtis-Taylor had been honoured for recreating aviation pioneer Lady Mary Heath’s historic 1928 flight from Cape Town to Britain in a vintage aircraft.
But she was unceremoniously stripped of the Bill Woodhams Trophy by the Light Aircraft Association after it was alleged that she had passengers with her during the 8,000-mile journey in 2015.
Ms Curtis-Taylor, 56, appealed against the decision by the LAA, which represents recreational pilots, and claims the decision was part of a ‘vicious vendetta’ by a group ‘that operates like an old boys’ club’.
The row has divided the LAA’s 7,600 members, many of whom will attend today’s meeting in Northamptonshire. Two representatives will call for Ms Curtis-Taylor’s award to be reinstated.
‘I’ve been treated disgracefully,’ said Ms Curtis-Taylor.
‘Many of the members are ex-military men and about 80 to 90 per cent are over 60. They act like some kind of old boys’ club.
‘I’ve often felt like an outsider because it has been made clear that some resented seeing a woman doing something that they don’t do.
‘The personal attacks have been incredibly painful. The financial cost and distress to me has been huge. I never set out to deceive anyone. It’s been blown out of all proportion.
‘I wish they had never bothered to give me the award. There was no money, just a cup which you keep for a year and then give back.’
Ms Curtis-Taylor admits that in a ‘slip of the tongue’ during one interview, she inadvertently used the term ‘solo’ to describe the trip.
But she added: ‘I was doing everything to promote the female pioneers who did fly solo, but I never claimed to be doing the same. I was, however, the only pilot. No one flew but me.’
LAA chairman Brian Davies said: ‘A vote was taken [to rescind the award]. The member said that it was unfair, so the remedy is to take the vote again, which is what we plan to do.’