ExecuJet Aviation Group wished Tracey Curtis-Taylor, the intrepid British aviator, bon voyage as she departed from Farnborough Airport in the UK on October 1 on her 13,000-mile journey across 23 countries to Sydney, Australia, in her classic 1942 Boeing Stearman Spirit of Artemis.
The expedition is in memory of Amy Johnson, the pioneering British aviator, who became the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia in 1930 and tragically died in mysterious circumstances during World War II while flying for the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary).
Speaking prior to departing Farnborough, Tracey Curtis-Taylor said, “For my whole life, I have been moved by the achievements of pioneers like Amy Johnson. My own flight to Australia is the realization of a burning desire to fly my beloved Boeing Stearman around the world following in their footsteps. It has taken 30 years to arrive at this point. And now I not only have the desire to do it but also the resources and a huge network of support behind me. I am very, very grateful for this. It feels as if I am finally breaking free of the shackles of life and fulfilling a destiny which was always meant to be.”
Gerrit Basson, CEO, ExecuJet Aviation Group, commented, “We are delighted to be supporting Tracey on her solo expedition from the UK to Australia and know our ground operations team will be taking excellent care of her Boeing Stearman on the various refueling and maintenance stops.
“Tracey is an inspiration, and we look forward to hosting her along the way. The first major stop will be Istanbul where we have arranged meetings and talks with aviation students and media. Our team in the Middle East will also take care of her on her way to Dubai where she will stay for the duration of the Dubai Airshow. Our Australasian team will then take over to guide her across Australasia with stopovers in Bali, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to finally be greeted by our Australian team in Sydney in 2016.
“We at ExecuJet are supporting Tracey’s adventure because projects like this are at the heart and soul of aviation. They touch something in us, bring us back to why we are passionate about our jobs and reflect the true spirit of the industry we work in.”
Tracey is expected to arrive in Sydney on January 6, 2016.
October 6, 2015
