Pioneering Female Aviator Lands in Abu Dhabi in Historic Boeing Bi-plane

• Boeing sponsors solo open cockpit flight from U.K. to Australia
• 4,000 miles completed of the 13,000-mile journey across 23 countries

Abu Dhabi - November 8, 2015 - Adventurous British female aviator Tracey Curtis-Taylor landed safely today at Al-Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi in her classic 1942 Boeing Stearman Spirit of Artemis. The experienced pilot set off on her intrepid expedition from the U.K. to Australia October 1, aiming to fly 13,000 miles across 23 countries. 

Flying in from Saudi Arabia, her arrival in the United Arab Emirates completes 4,000 miles of stick and rudder flying exposed to the elements with basic period instruments. And her plane will be featured as part of the Boeing display at the upcoming Dubai Air Show, which starts on Sunday

Ms Curtis-Taylor is undertaking the flight to celebrate the pioneering days of early aviation in the 1920s and 1930s, and especially the achievements of revolutionary British aviator Amy Johnson. A celebrity of her day, Ms Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia in 1930 and tragically died in mysterious circumstances during World War II flying for the Air Transport Auxiliary.

Speaking on arrival in Abu Dhabi, 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 realisation of a burning desire to fly my beloved Boeing Stearman Spirit of Artemis around the world following in their footsteps. 

“I am delighted to have arrived in Abu Dhabi. The flight has already exceeded all my expectations and delivered unforgettable moments and incredible challenges. From nasty European weather delaying us across Romania to the beauty of flying at 100 feet over the desert, every moment is an extraordinary experience. I can’t wait to take my plane to the Dubai Air Show next.'  

Having flown from South Africa across the African continent and Europe to the UK in 2013, Ms Curtis-Taylor is no stranger to flying across some of the most beautiful, challenging and dangerous places on the planet. Since her departure from the UK, she has flown across Eastern Europe to Istanbul and on through the Middle East. 

“We are proud to welcome Tracey Curtis-Taylor to the UAE. Boeing’s sponsorship of Tracey’s adventure stems from an admiration for the heritage and spirit captured in this epic journey. Tracey’s flight in the 1942 Boeing Stearman will reach Australia in early 2016 - a year in which we will celebrate our centennial and our own journey.” said Bernard Dunn, President of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. 

Boeing will have a strong presence at the record-breaking Dubai Air Show, which has become one of the largest and most successful air shows in the world. It runs from November 8-12 at Al Maktoum International Airport.

Throughout the flight to Australia, Tracey Curtis-Taylor will be stopping in a number of cities to engage with the local communities, with a particular focus on women. Commemorating the fact that Amy Johnson was the first President of the Women’s Engineering Society, she will promote the achievements of women in every sphere around the world, especially their historic and contemporary role in aviation and engineering. In Abu Dhabi she will speak to students from Abu Dhabi Women’s College at Boeing’s Abu Dhabi office. In Dubai, she will address 450 students during the air show, before taking the stage as the keynote speaker at the International Aviation Women’s Association conference. She leaves Dubai on Friday November 13 for Muscat, Oman. 

About Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company designing and manufacturing commercial and military airplanes, rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 168,000 people across the United States and in more than 65 countries. Total company revenues for 2014 were $90.8 billion.