However, her logistics manager, Sam Rutherford, said the airman gave her vital flight instruction and helped with engineering.

He also accused her of embellishing the truth and said that she had only flown four of the 36 legs from Cape Town to Goodwood on her own.

Barry Tempest, a veteran member of the LAA, who suggested that her award be withdrawn in the light of the claims, said: “I am delighted the award has been rescinded and her name will removed from the annals of the Light Aircraft Association.

“I have the greatest of respect for women pilots, but I think Tracey Curtis-Taylor has not done a lot to further their cause.

“I think she is a boastful lady who needs bringing down a peg or two. She made these claims about flying solo, or at least that is what we were led to believe, and now it has come out that they were not that at all. Far from it. I believe the integrity of the LAA has been restored.”