Young pilot ‘taken too soon’
One of the victims of a mid-air collision between two planes in northern Victoria last week has been identified as 30-year-old Israeli man Ido Segev.
IDO Segev has been remembered as “an aviator since birth” following the Israeli’s tragic passing as a result of a mid-air collision between two planes in northern Victoria last Wednesday.
Thirty-year-old Ido, a world champion and aerobatics pilot, and Peter Phillips, chief flight instructor, both lost their lives when they were on board one of the planes. The two occupants of the other plane also died.
Yonatan Segev told The AJN of his younger brother’s passion for flying: “His interest in aeroplanes was passed to him by our father and myself. He started flying remote-controlled aeroplanes as early as five years old with our father.”
According to Yonatan, Ido’s talent shone through from a young age when he started competing in aerobatics in Israel, then in the US and Europe, before becoming a world-renowned champion.
But Ido’s dream was to become a commercial pilot and fly aerobatic planes, shared Yonatan – “and he was determined to follow his dream”.
Just two months after he finished his IDF service, Ido moved to Australia to pursue his goal, and learned how to fly aeroplanes at Moorabbin airport. He completed his commercial licence and became a flight instructor.
That was 10 years ago.
“Australia quickly became his new adopted home and he was grateful for the opportunities and acceptance he received in Australia,” said Yonatan.
“He was surrounded by loving friends who embraced him into their lives and cared for him, and Ido in his unique, humble way cared for them. Ido met his life partner Brianna five years ago and they have been together ever since.”
Yonatan revealed that only in the last few months, Ido began undergoing his instrument flight rating. It was during his final lesson that the fatal accident occurred.
“Ido was taken from us too soon, too early”.
“He was the youngest of three, and everybody’s little boy. Ido was more than a brother. We had a very unique connection between us that words cannot describe,” said Yonatan.
“But it’s hard on our parents more than anything.”
It is anticipated that Ido’s body will finally make the journey back to Israel next week. Once he has been laid to rest, Yonatan promises that a memorial gathering will then be planned for his brother in Australia.
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