The 18,000-kilometre relay will celebrated women in aviation while raising funds for the Cancer Council.

General aviation enthusiasts, commercial pilots and military operators will be flying on pre-designated routes around Australia over a six-week period.

The relay kicked off on Monday at the end of the Avalon Air Show and will arrive at Cessnock Airport on Wednesday, when Nicola will receive the baton from R44 helicopter pilot Sandy Taylor.

Nicola’s leg will include a sunrise flight over the Hunter Valley vineyards on Thursday morning.

She will then hand the baton over to pilot Kerry Nolan, who will fly approximately 98 nautical miles to Camden Haven (about 30 kilometres south of Port Macquarie).

Nicola, who is the current Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Champion and pilot for Balloon Aloft, said that she was excited to be part of such a great event.

“Aviation is such a wonderful profession and pastime for women yet it is still such a highly male dominated industry,” she said.

“The relay is a great way of showcasing the amazing women pilots that we have in Australia while also raising funds for such a great cause.”

The relay will finish in Launceston, Tasmania on April 22.

Follow the relay at http://womenpilots-relay.blogspot.com.au or on Facebook (Women Pilots’ Relay Of Flight).

Donations supporting Cancer Council can be made here.