Renowned aviator Tracey Taylor lands in Pakistan

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

GWADAR: Tracey Curtis Taylor, an aviator and adventurer from New Zealand arrived at Gwadar in her vintage open cockpit biplane (1942 Boeing Stearman), on Monday.

Pakistan Air Force spokesman while announcing her arrival in Pakistan said that Tracey Taylor was received by Squadron Leader Saira Batool, a lady pilot from PAF.

"PAF will host her during her stay in Pakistan before departing for her next destination," said the spokesman.

The 53 year old aviation enthusiast embarked upon this 13,000-mile solo flight from Britain to Australia in a vintage open cockpit biplane on October 1, 2015.

Her journey includes flying across 23 countries before arriving in Sydney in January 2016.

Tracey Taylor being received by Squadron Leader Saira Batool. ─APP

Tracey has undertaken this tour to pay homage to Amy Johnson, the pioneering British aviator and her epic solo flight to Australia in 1930.

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Pakistani

Nov 17, 2015 12:37am

That's so cool. Welcome Tracy

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Harmony-1©

Nov 17, 2015 12:41am

Commendable adventurous solo flight being undertaken by Tracey Curtis Taylor. Good of PAF to convey such hospitality!

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Akram

Nov 17, 2015 12:46am

Welcome to Pakistan.

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Nov 17, 2015 01:15am

Awesome :)

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KANDHKOTI

Nov 17, 2015 01:16am

Welcome to Pakistan. Hope , you will leave with unforgettable memories and a new image in your mind about my country .

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uzair

Nov 17, 2015 01:17am

If I, as a pakistani, requested authorities that I am on world tour in my plane....most probably they would have not allowed me to land on gawadar runway and for sure i would have not received this respect.

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Zak

Nov 17, 2015 01:22am

She will be so impressed by Pakistan and seeing PAF lady pilots of high rank,sqdn leader.

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frkh

Nov 17, 2015 01:32am

Welcome Tracey. We hope you have a great stay.

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Kamran

Nov 17, 2015 02:18am

Welcome to Pakistan Tracey! :-) Wish you best for your journey.

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Ahmed

Nov 17, 2015 02:53am

welcome to the land of hospitality...

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Pakistani

Nov 17, 2015 03:12am

Welcome to Pakistan, Tracey Curtis Taylor. We will try our best to make your stay in our country the most memorable one. Please convey our good wishes to people in your home country and onward destinations. Have a safe journey.

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khan

Nov 17, 2015 03:15am

Good luck Tracy with rest of your journey. Lot of loves from Pakistan

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Gen Pasha retd.

Nov 17, 2015 03:21am

Well done Tracey

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Noshin

Nov 17, 2015 03:55am

solo flight........amazing and dangerous too!

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Nangyal

Nov 17, 2015 05:28am

Thanks Dawn for sharing some nice and interesting news :)

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Ali

Nov 17, 2015 06:12am

"Welcome to Pakistan". Tracey Taylor you are great inspiration to women aviators, just as our women pilots in the PAF and PIA. Happy landings. Bon Voyage.

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expat

Nov 17, 2015 06:46am

Welcome to Pakistan Tracey. I heard a lot about NZ love for Pakistan. We love you all too.

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Amer RAO

Nov 17, 2015 08:18am

Wow, Congratulations Tracy.

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Jawad

Nov 17, 2015 08:21am

This is very dangerous I wouldn't fly an old plane solo from country to country. Good luck.

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Nov 17, 2015 09:20am

in addition to all the good comments here (and hardly any Indian), lucky SL Batool who has this opportunity to host Tracy. I am sure Squadron Leader Batool is as much an inspiration for our girls as Tracy may be.

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Syed Irfan Ali

Nov 17, 2015 10:15am

Very impressive. Welcome to Pakistan.

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Bilal Hussain

Nov 17, 2015 10:39am

Saira Batool is from Hazara community based in Quetta, the capital city of Baluchistan province. A community that has been, and still remains the victim of sectarian attacks. A lot of talent in this community; be it aviation, missile technology, fashion designing, engineering, medical sciences and so on. the community should be proud of this girl !

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Syed(Australia)

Nov 17, 2015 10:40am

Welcome to Pakistan Tracey, please take our love and hospitality to other Newzelanders and other parts of the world. Hope your stay in Pakistan will be most memorable.

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SHK

Nov 17, 2015 11:33am

Wow and welcome

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asgher

Nov 17, 2015 02:04pm

Pakistani Skies welcome our unique guest!

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ZAFAR

Nov 19, 2015 07:16am

"Welcome to Pakistan". Tracey Taylor you are great inspiration to women aviators, just as our women pilots in the PAF and PIA. Happy landings. Please take our love and hospitality to other Newzelanders and other parts of the world Bon Voyage. ZAFAR PAKISTAN

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