An Aid ‘Bird in a Biplane’ Missed in Her Adventure

On 9th January, 2016 adventurer-aviator Tracey Curtis-Taylor landed at Sydney in a vintage open-cockpit Boeing Stearman of 1942 make to reword an epoch-making event. Tracey, who prefers to be referred as a ‘Bird in a Biplane’ re-enacted the pioneering lady pilot Amy Johnson’s historic solo flight from England to Australia of 1930.

Dedicating her feat as a tribute to all the women aviators, she recounted the saga of her three-month long flight covering nearly 12,000 nautical miles (21,000 kilometres) over 23 different countries. She cited several adverse factors like weather in flight and logistical imbroglio on the ground. 

The bad weather, mostly in Eastern Europe, made her to revert to the basics of flying the ‘stick and rudder’ aircraft with obsolete instruments. Above all, the aircraft’s short endurance meant frequent stopovers for refuelling. Once she was ‘grounded’ for seven hours at a stretch and more than often she slept on the tarmac, anticipating needed services.

While complimenting Tracey’s achievement in such a vintage aeroplane, one is prompted to add that had she banked on modern modes of communication and information like iPad Apps for Pilots, these unforeseen obstacles could have never surfaced. This Smartphone package like the one conceptualised and developed by Jet-Xpress has been hailed as a boon by the aviators round the world.

Although this 53-year old aviatrix admitted of ‘not having missed a beat’ during the epic journey, she would have never been left stranded at strange airfields or less-known airports for want of apt ground services. The package dispensed by Jet-Xpress incorporates intricate Fuel Finder App for iPad to ensure no pilot or operator of flight services is ever handicapped. These are programmed ‘by the pilots, for the pilots’ with numerous additional features like a slot for a feedback on the ground handling services.

Once the data is clarified and confirmed for authenticity for a comprehensive rating, it will be posted on the domain for the benefit and also choice of the Apps users. Considering ethical norms, the identity of the pilot commenting on the ground handlers is kept a secret. So much so, an adverse feedback will act like a shot in the arm for the facilitator to take corrective steps. Hence this slot is very crucial for the flying crew and also agencies like chartered flight operators.