Russell Crowe lends Papua New Guinean pilots a helping hand

Jed Katal and Clyde Awesa came to Australia to train as pilots. Now they play footy under coach Sam Burgess and count actor Russell Crowe as their friend.

A chance meeting with Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe on the tarmac at Coffs Harbour Airport has changed the lives of two Papua New Guinean pilots forever.

Jed Katal and Clyde Awesa met Crowe after flying to Australia from PNG to train to become pilots, and discovered a mutual love of rugby league with the actor.

A friendship formed and Crowe helped the boys join the local Orara Valley Axemen footy club, which is now coached by Sam Burgess.

Their aviation studies, which they started in 2018, were halted due to Covid and their flying school in Coffs closed down.

Confidential hears it was Crowe who stepped in to provide some financial assistance and link the men up with Ballina’s White Star Aviation to complete their last training component.

Pilots Jed Katal and Clyde Awesa training in Coffs Harbour.

Russell Crowe says he is proud the men have scored jobs.

When contacted, Crowe would not comment on his generosity, other than to say he is proud to see his friends score their first jobs — last week they signed up for full-time employment with Torres Strait Air.

They will start with the airline when the rugby league season concludes in August.

“It is a great moment for both Jed and Clyde,” Crowe told Confidential.

“Many years of study, locked down by the pandemic. They’ve had to be patient and cool under pressure, exactly what you need in a good pilot.

“Australia has long been known as a great place to learn how to fly. Building our aviation industry to meet the future should be on the table at a federal level.

The advances in aviation always come fast; soon we will be using human piloted drones, electric planes. We should be ahead of that curve.

“Looking after Qantas is great, but, the aviation industry is way bigger than just our flagship carrier. Flying Schools like White Star in Ballina should be given support and encouragement.”

Of his achievements, Awesa said: “I’ve always had the passion for flying growing up and to be the first pilot in my family would be a great achievement not only for me but for my family and all my people back home in the village and the tribe as a whole.”

Katal added: “It has always been a childhood dream job to be a pilot as when I was kid I was always fascinated by airplanes and pilots and even at this age it still fascinates me and I’m very passionate about it.”

Originally published as Russell Crowe lends Papua New Guinean pilots a helping hand