CLOCKWISE CREWS
First Circumnavigation of Mainland Australia by a Female Seaplane Pilot
Cathy Babis & David Geers
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Cathy and David will share pilot duties in a SeaRey amphibian along with other aircraft, taking advantage of warmer temperatures and more favourable winds while also avoiding the end of the wet season up north. Throughout their adventure, they will promote STEM education and encourage diversity in all aviation occupations. Cathy will be making presentations at schools and clubs along the way. David hopes to do lots of joy flights, introducing young and sometimes disadvantaged children to the joys of water flying.
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About Cathy: She is a pilot with a passion for breaking barriers in aviation. She is new to seaplane flying, earning her commercial pilot seaplane certificate in September of 2020 with the Missouri River as her water runway near her home in St. Louis, MO, USA. With 53 years of aviation experience including, air traffic controller, former chief flight instructor for two flight schools, weather observer, aviation instrument map maker, & US Army veteran, she is dedicated to promoting aviation through STEM education and mentoring. On this historic flight, her goal is to emphasize the need for diversity in all aviation careers while inspiring women, from young girls just selecting a career to older women who may have put their flying dreams aside, to join the aviation community. Cathy says, “We believe that every barrier is meant to be broken. It's an honor to celebrate the circumnavigation’s 100th anniversary paying tribute to the pioneers who paved the way for us, while achieving a new “first” for female pilots." Promoting increased diversity, gender participation in aviation, and STEM education have been her mission for decades. She hopes her flight inspires and motivates people to consider embracing aviation as a vocation or avocation.
About David: He has been a pilot since 1980 and has flown his Searey amphibious airplane over 1000 hours since purchasing it in 2010. He is past president of the Seaplane Pilots Association of Australia and current committee member. He is passionate about flying, especially seaplanes.
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Cathy and David are seeking sponsors and donations to defray the expenses of the flight and your donation will assist us in promoting aviation and introducing young people to the joy of flying and possibly even a career in aviation.
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By donating $25, you can "COME ALONG" with us with YOUR NAME ON OUR SEAPLANE!
Our GoFundme page is now available!
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Jim Moline
About Jim:
Upon completion of this trip, Jim will become the OLDEST seaplane pilot to fly a seaplane around mainland Australia! Staying on the same theme, he bought his first motorcycle in celebration of his 78th birthday. He earned his PPL in 1964 and eventually purchased his Searey amphibian in 2003 which he says is the best thing he ever did, making him poor but happy. Flying Around Oz in his seaplane with the clockwise group is a bucket list item. In his real life, he's an architect. James served the Australian seaplane community for a few years as treasurer of the Seaplane Pilots Association of Australia (SPAA). He is a father of 2 and has 4 adult grandchildren who are excited to follow his flight around the continent. James’s friend, Tracey, will be joining & supporting the group, flying with him in his hand built Searey VH-EUX.
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UPDATE: Jim experienced communications, electrical, and landing gear problems in the first days of the flight, ultimately requiring total replacement of his main landing gear system and rewiring of the aircraft electronics. Tracey left the trip, heading home on April 10 after spending several days in Peterborough where the repairs are being completed.
Kevin Moore
About Kevin:
Kevin's journey will begin and end at MacKay Airport joining the clockwise group.
Hamish Kebbell
About Hamish:
Hamish's journey will begin and end at Point Cook on April 6th proceeding clockwise to Busselton and return anti-clockwise to Tyabb.
Mark O'Halloran/ Ian Decker
About Mark & Crew:
This is the largest crew joining the clockwise journey. Mark O'Halloran and Ian Decker will share pilot duties in Mark's Piper Commanche 250. Their wives, Raelene and Jenny, will complete the passenger list. Their plan is to depart Swan Hill on April 10th, arriving in Coral Bay on April 17th. They will enjoy the Coral Bay area for a few days and head to Alice Springs then south to Swan Hill on April 22nd.
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ANTI-CLOCKWISE CREW
Replicating the Original Flight - Southern Sun
Michael Smith
Michael Smith will fly anticlockwise from Point Cook in his twin-engine Seabear amphibian tracing the original flight's route and timing. For more details, please visit Michael's website: click here.
About Michael Smith: Michael is well known for his aviation exploits, especially his flight around the world in his Searey amphibian In 2015. In 2018 he flew his Sea Bear amphibian from England to Australia to celebrate the centenary of the first flight, by Australians Ross and Keith Smith, Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers in the Vickers Vimy biplane. Over the period 8-23 March 2019, Michael led a group of aircraft from Darwin to Adelaide to celebrate the last stages of this flight. Several light aircraft flew at least part of the way. At many stopping places, notably Darwin, Charleville, Longreach, Caboolture, Bourke and Narromine, the aircraft were welcomed by the local community.
North From Point Cook to Darwin, Then Anti-Clockwise
Rohan Whittington
