In an era where the feats of female aviators are celebrated with fervor, Tracey Curtis-Taylor stands out as a beacon of inspiration and homage to the pioneers of the past. Her extraordinary flights in a vintage biplane, captured in her book “Bird” and an accompanying documentary, are not merely acts of adventure but a profound narrative intertwining her own journey with those of the legendary female aviators who paved the way.
Curtis-Taylor was Inspired to write about specific flights by Hollywood, but more specifically, “two wonderful films: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, which I watched on repeat every Christmas from the age of ten; and the Oscar-winning, Out of Africa, based on Karen Blixen’s famous memoir, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.” After watching the films, it made Curtis-Taylor come to the conclusion that she wanted her life to be like the movies. The timing of the release of Out of Africa was perfect, “ I was in my early twenties and learning to fly in New Zealand; shortly after completing my private license, I began flying old airplanes, and this became the defining passion of my life. My own Africa flight in 2013 was, in effect, the fulfillment of that dream to fly Africa in an open-cockpit biplane which had been seeded twenty-eight years before.”
Curtis-Taylor then embarked on a journey that would see her retracing the routes of pioneering women in aviation, from Cape Town to London, England to Australia, and across the United States. Her flights paid tribute to the likes of Lady Heath, Amy Johnson, and Amelia Earhart, women who defied the odds and societal norms to claim the skies as their domain. When Curtis-Taylor first decided to fly Africa, she believed, “It became obvious that my flight should be about the highly accomplished but largely forgotten Lady Heath, following her route up the eastern side of the African continent.” This led to the Australia flight, which continued the theme of highlighting the achievements of the female pioneering aviators.” It was important to Curtis-Taylor that she paid tribute to these women as she feels that what they did was so brilliant that it deserves renewed recognition from every generation as when women are still so underrepresented in the aviation industry. Even today just 5% of commercial pilots are women.
She connected her stories to the early aviators by, “following their routes in history as closely as modern borders, politics and warzones allowed. In some instances, it just wasn’t possible. In 1928, Lady Heath through west from Cairo through Libya but this was too dangerous for us to follow suit in 2013 with fighting in Benghazi and Tripoli and attacks on Westerners during the civil war. When Amy Johnson flew to Australia in 1930, she flew through Syria, Iraq and Iran. This too was a war zone when I was flying it in 2015 so we had to route south through Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and then we picked up her route again in Pakistan.” Although their trips were not exactly parallel, Curtis-Taylor got as close as she did to their journey’s as she could.
Curtis-Taylor’s experiences in the air, while exhilarating, were not without their challenges. Navigating a slow, open-cockpit vintage airplane through unpredictable weather and over daunting terrains tested her resolve. More spepcifically, “The most harrowing moment was getting caught in a rapidly advancing storm flying through the Carpathian Mountains in Romania en route to Australia.” Yet, it was these moments of adversity that underscored the essence of her adventure – a testament to human spirit and endurance.
Her deep connection to the early aviatrixes was not merely through the replication of their routes but through a shared narrative of struggle, passion, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Curtis-Taylor’s journey was as much about rediscovering and celebrating the contributions of these women to aviation history as it was about confronting the ongoing challenges faced by women in the field.
The upcoming documentary on great female aviators aims to broaden the narrative, exploring the lives and legacies of women who dared to dream and fly. Curtis-Taylor’s work seeks to inspire not just women, but anyone who yearns for adventure and yearns to push the boundaries of possibility. She wanted to explore this theme because she was a student of history and literature and has. “always been fascinated by the sweep of time and events; the idea of fate and destiny; events that define the start and end of an era; how far an individual can determine a given outcome and the law of unintended consequences. I have come to believe that the only thing that really matters is the human story.”
Her dedication to promoting female empowerment and aviation extends beyond personal achievements. Through initiatives aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in aerospace, Curtis-Taylor continues to pave the way for future generations, ensuring that the legacy of pioneering female aviators soars into the future.
“Bird” is not just a recount of thrilling flights; it is a poignant reminder of the human achievement of flight and the indomitable spirit of those who dared to take to the skies. Curtis-Taylor’s story, interwoven with those of her predecessors, serves as a powerful testament to the role of women in aviation’s past, present, and future. However, she does not see herself as a role model, and wouldn’t encourage anyone to go to the lengths she did in a vintage airplane.
As Curtis-Taylor contemplates future projects, her narrative remains a source of inspiration. Whether retracing the flights of pioneering aviators or planning new adventures, her journey continues to resonate with anyone who dreams of flying, exploring, and breaking barriers. Tracey Curtis-Taylor’s homage to the golden age of female pilots is a compelling reminder that the sky has always been, and will continue to be, the domain of the brave and the bold.
