Frequently Asked Questions

             

1. How do I donate?

Donating is very simple.  The Cancer Council has set up a donation web page for the relay group event.  You go to the link and follow the prompts to donate.  You will receive your receipt from The Cancer Council by email or post, depending on your preference.

The Relay Event will also be listed on the Cancer Council web site

http://nsw.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/teamPage.aspx?TeamID=85203

2. Is this an official AWPA event?

No this is not an official AWPA event at this stage, however most participants are AWPA members and we are hoping to make the relay an official AWPA event in the future.

3. Does this have CASA approval?

Yes CASA has been given all information regarding the relay.

4. Does it have to be an all female crew?

No but one flight crew member at the controls must be female. This includes students.

5. When is the relay taking place?

The relay will commence on the 2^nd March – 22^nd April 2015, anti-clockwise around Australia starting in Victoria from Avalon Airport.

6. Do the designated legs have to be flown in one day? 

No it is not a race and it is up to the PIC how the designated legs are flown, it is all about having fun.  All flying legs are to be conducted within the limitations of the PIC’s licencing and ratings.

7. If I am not flying in the relay how else can I participate or help? 

You can spread the word to your friends and family to assist with the fund raising activities. 

You could attend the location airport where the relay is landing and assist the team on the ground.  You could donate to your local relay team to assist with Fuel costs

You could encourage the local aero club to donate or assist with fund raising activities on the day

You could promote the relay to local media outlets.

We'd welcome any help you can provide.

8.  Is there an entry fee to participate in the relay?

No there is no fee to enter the relay.

9. Who pays the cost of the aircraft and associated flight costs?

All flight costs and aircraft costs are paid by the participating Pilot and crew.

10. Do I need insurance to participate in the relay flight?

Your aircraft must be insured as per normal flight requirements.  QBE insurance will be assisting with further associated insurance requirements.

11. Do I need to fill in any paperwork to participate?

Yes you must complete all of the required paperwork and submit to your designated state representative.  You will not be able to participate unless all of your paperwork has been received. 

  

12. Will my participation information and details be published or will they be kept private?

Your personal information will remain private; however you do have the opportunity to provide a personal Biography and photo to the organisers and the Cancer Council if you wish your information to be published.

13. How do I follow the relay around Australia?

You can go to the web or Facebook pages provide on the below links to follow the progress of the relay.

http://womenpilotsrelay.blogspot.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/WomenPilotsRelay

14. Is there a baton to pass from each crew?

Yes there is an official baton that will be handed from one crew to the next during the designated routes.

15. How will the relay be recorded?

The crew will be given an iPhone for recording photographs throughout the event which will then be uploaded onto the blog and Facebook pages.   Flight following may also be available through flight aware, depending on the routes.

16. The Cancer Council site says it is NSW, will all donations go to this state or will they be distributed to other states?

NSW is the main co-ordination centre for major Cancer Council events.  All funds will go through the NSW co-ordination centre and will be distributed amongst various research programs across Australia.  Each individual state that the Relay will travel through will also have access to a Cancer Council state coordinator who can arrange any extra fund raising along the way for their individual states.

CCNSW is the largest non-government funder of cancer research in Australia and the only organisation that works across every area of every cancer, covering the full cancer journey. In 2013/14 CCNSW invested over $14m to conduct almost 150 research studies, funding 266 researchers in 77 institutions in several states of Australia.

“Connections” is an online community for people affected by cancer (as a patient, survivor or carer). People can access information and psycho-social peer support via a professionally moderated community across Australia. This helps reduce social isolation – particularly in remote or regional areas and goes a long way to easing anxiety for those dealing with this difficult journey.

17. Who will co-ordinate the relay routes?

There is a designated contact person for your region. They will be in contact with you regarding the proposed legs and are able to assist with any inquiries regarding the flight.

18.  What if there is bad weather and other delays?

The organisers have planned extra time to allow for any delays.  For non IFR pilots this means that there is absolutely no pressure to fly in bad weather.  If the PIC believes that the weather is not suitable, there is a problem with the aircraft or any other concerns that would prevent the flight to taking place, it can be delayed without concern by the Pilot in Command.

19. Why was the original plan to fly clockwise around Australia reversed to fly anti clockwise?

During the initial planning stages we had an overwhelming response from pilots wishing to participate in the East Coast legs, the other larger areas of Australia were more difficult to fill.  It was decided to reverse the relay to provide more time and shorter legs up the East coast, also it gave more time for any VFR pilots in case of inclement weather issues.  Other larger areas of Australia will be covered by our Airline teams, which will cover a wider ground in a shorter time frame..