By: Paula Franco
In the world of aviation, there are stories that soar above the clouds, tales of daring, passion, and the pursuit of dreams. Tracey Curtis-Taylor, a modern-day aviator, embodies this spirit with her remarkable flights in vintage biplanes, retracing the routes of pioneering aviators of the past. From her adventures across Africa to her journeys through Australia and the United States, Tracey’s experiences have not only shaped her narrative but also shed light on the extraordinary achievements of women in aviation.
Tracey is a British pilot who flies a vintage Boeing Stearman biplane, the Spirit of Victory all throughout the world. She grew up in Cumbria, which is in North West England. She became interested in aviation when she was visiting air shows in Canada with her family. Tracey’s father always was interested in vintage products like cars and planes. She had her first flying lesson when she was 16, and it was uphill from there. Tracey’s mission is to follow the flights of the female aviators before her.
Tracey’s inspiration took flight from the silver screen, fueled by Hollywood classics like “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” and “Out of Africa.” These films sparked a lifelong fascination with aviation, leading her to pursue her dreams of flying old airplanes. “When I saw the film, I was absolutely transfixed by this deeply romantic, epic flight and there and then decided that this is how I wanted my life to be,” Tracey reminisces.
Photo Courtesy: Tracey Curtis-Taylor
Her flights echo the routes of pioneering aviators like Lady Heath, Amy Johnson, and Amelia Earhart, women who defied conventions and soared into the skies during the Golden Age of Aviation. Tracey’s journeys pay homage to their courage and determination, intertwining their stories with her own. “My book and the documentary film is my story intertwined with the life stories of these three women,” she explains. “Passion, obsession even, and the ultimate price of following the dream.”
Throughout her expeditions, Tracey faced numerous challenges, from navigating treacherous weather to overcoming logistical hurdles in a post-9/11 world. Yet, her determination never wavered. “The biggest single challenge with flying a slow, open-cockpit vintage airplane is the weather,” Tracey reveals, recounting a harrowing moment flying through the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. “It was seriously unnerving but there was no choice but to press on through it.”
As Tracey retraced the flights of pioneering aviators, she delved deep into their histories, uncovering unsung heroes like Bessica Raiche and Harriet Quimby. “Women were there right from the start,” she emphasizes, highlighting the contributions of early female aviators in America. Their stories, though often overlooked, resonated profoundly with Tracey, shaping her understanding of aviation’s past and present.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by female aviators then and now, Tracey acknowledges progress but also recognizes lingering barriers. “Misogyny, I believe, is still a corrosive factor, however latent, and despite a lot of lip service to the contrary,” she remarks. Yet, she remains hopeful about the future, believing in the power of representation and role models to inspire the next generation of female pilots.
In her upcoming documentary, Tracey aims to celebrate the human spirit and the enduring legacy of flight. “My story, like those of these pioneering women, is a bit of a mad-cap adventure story but also a story of survival against the odds,” she states. Through her flights and the stories of aviators featured in her documentary, Tracey hopes to ignite a passion for aviation and empower young girls to pursue their dreams.
Photo Courtesy: Tracey Curtis-Taylor
Looking ahead, Tracey’s journey continues with projects focused on education and outreach, inspiring future generations of aviators. “In the aftermath of Randy’s accident, in an act of staggering generosity, one of his closest friends offered to support me in building a school’s outreach program,” she reveals. Tracey was good friends with Randy because they both were aviators. Randolph “Randy” Sherman was a 72-year-old doctor who died in a plane crash on July 18, 2023. The plane suffered from an engine failure and crash-landed into a home, causing it to go up in flames. Sherman created many plastic surgery programs in Los Angeles and traveled the world taking care of children with deformities.
As Tracey Curtis Taylor’s wings carry her forward, her story becomes not just a testament to the past but a beacon of hope for the future. “Give us the wings,” she proclaims, echoing the aspirations of generations of aviators before her. And with each flight, each journey, Tracey continues to soar, inspiring others to reach for the skies.
In the world of aviation, Tracey Curtis Taylor is more than a pilot—she is a pioneer, a storyteller, and a champion of dreams. And as her wings spread wide, her legacy takes flight, leaving an indelible mark on the horizon of history.
Published by: Holy Minoza
