The Trust will provide financial assistance of $20,000 for Sam to complete his Diploma of Aviation and several flying endorsements in 2020. Sam will be studying at Tafe Queensland in support of his goal to provide flying services to remote areas of Central Australia.

Sam lives in Alice Springs and grew up on Bushy Park cattle station in the NT. He has been working towards his lifelong goal of becoming a helicopter pilot since he was young, when he spent time mustering in helicopters with family. Recently he completed his RPL fixed wing license and endorsements through the new Flight Standards at the Alice Springs Airport. Long term Sam would like to work with his brothers, providing a mix of trade services by air to those in remote locations.

Sam says “Flying has always been my absolute dream, and I’m am doing anything and everything in my power to move forward in that career path. It is an honour to receive the Roger Connellan Award and a big help to further my career and fulfil my dream of flying in the outback supporting people in remote locations.”

Mark Coffey says “Sam has demonstrated his commitment to aviation in outback Australia through the completion of his fixed-wing licenses and endorsements and through his enrolment in further education within the field. Aviation plays a vital role in outback Australia and Sam aims to support outback access to services, which is in the spirit of the Award. The board was impressed with the commitment Sam has shown to his flying goals and is very pleased to announce this Award”.

The Award is in memory of Eddie Connellan’s son Roger Connellan who was a bush pilot who rose to Chief Check and Training Captain of Connair, (He also helped establish the Alice Springs Aero Club in 1964). It aims to give the opportunity, by the provision of financial support to people living in Outback Australia for skill development in an aviation-related field excluding initial licensing. Since the Alice Springs based Trust commenced in 1981, it has been able to provide more than $3.7 million to residents of the Outback.