‘I want to be doing what I’m passionate about’: Daughter of late pilot follows dad’s footsteps

Five years after the tragic death of her father in a helicopter crash a 17-year-old Tasmanian is preparing to become a pilot.

SUN TAS. Isabella Corbin 17 who is in training to be a helicopter pilot. Isabella is the daughter of the late Roger Corbin who was also a helicopter pilot and died in a helicopter crash in 2017. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Five years after the tragic death of her father in a helicopter crash at Hobart Airport, Isabella Corbin, is preparing to become a pilot.

Isabella, 17, the daughter of Roger Corbin, the founder of Tasmanian helicopter company Rotor-Lift, wants to continue his legacy by becoming a rescue pilot.

Mr Corbin, who was described as an “exceptional pilot” and one of the most experienced in Australia.

His death has not dissuaded Isabella from following a similar career path – even if her mother, Allana, had mixed feelings about seeing her daughter take to the skies.

Isabella Corbin knows her father would be “100 per cent proud” of her decision to become a commercial helicopter pilot and one day, hopefully, a rescue pilot.

Isabella Corbin 17 who is in training to be a helicopter pilot. Isabella is the daughter of the late Roger Corbin who was also a helicopter pilot and died in a helicopter crash in 2017. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I can remember when I was little and Dad would come home from work and tell me about all the rescues he’d done that day – he will always be a hero to me,” she said.

Isabella is also keen to emulate her mother Allana who, despite being badly injured in a plane crash and told she would never walk again, went on to become the first woman to circumnavigate Australia in a helicopter.

Allana admits to having some misgivings about her daughter’s career choice.

“I honestly asked her to reconsider,” she said.

Allana Corbin, mother of twins Indiana and Isabella who are the wife and daughters of late chopper pilot Roger Corbin. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“As a mum, and knowing the risks, knowing what can go wrong, it’s only normal to want your children to be safe.

“But you also want them to chase their dreams, I’m really excited for her.”

Isabella, who has grown up around helicopters, is unfazed and relaxed about flying.

“People always ask me if dad’s death has deterred me but it’s made me want to do it even more,” she said.

RHH hospital helipad. picture of Clinical Associate Professor Marcus Skinner(left) and Rotor-Lift's Roger Corbin at Rotor lift Cambridge. Picture: KIM EISZELE

“There’s always risks in life, in everything you do.

“There’s not much that scares me. There is so many things that can go wrong every single day and I want to be doing what I’m passionate about.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’ve never changed my mind since day dot, it’s always been my dream to fly helicopters.”

The retired head of police search and rescue Lee Renshaw said Mr Corbin was a “true visionary who would be missed like no other.”

Mr Corbin, Rotorlift’s chief flying instructor, was killed on November 7, 2017, when his helicopter nosedived from a height of about 200m, killing him instantly and leaving his co-pilot in a critical condition.

Isabella said that at her father’s funeral attended by 1000 mourners, “so many people he rescued wanted to show their appreciation for what he’d done for them”.

“He made such an impact saving so many lives.

“It is such a rewarding career knowing you are providing a vital rescue service for the community”.

Late pilot Roger Corbin. Picture: Supplied

Isabella knows she has big shoes to fill but her mission has begun. She’s spent two months studying at Advanced Flight Theory School in Queensland and is keen to get behind the controls and one day help save lives like her father.

If everything goes to plan, she hopes to sit her commercial flight test next year on her 18th birthday in November.

Isabella Corbin with her dad, late Roger Corbin. Picture: Supplied

She says her twin sister, Indiana is scared of heights but is following her dreams to become a chef and older sister Sophia works in politics in South Australia.

Mrs Corbin, who established Rotor-Lift with her late husband, had a miraculous recovery from a plane crash and inspired many as a motivational speaker.

She said she was honoured to have been providing an emergency helicopter service for the past 22 years.

“We employ more than 40 people, and all of them are dedicated to keeping people safe.

“Knowing Isabella is going to be a part of this too would make her dad very proud.”