Trainee pilot James Taylor's casket was yesterday carried home to Nelson by a helicopter to honour his passion for flying.
On a sunny afternoon yesterday, James' family took their son home across Cook Strait.
The weather was similar to the perfect conditions on Sunday when Taylor, 19, his flying instructor Dave Fielding, 30, and Cessna pilot Bevan Hookway, 17, were killed in a midair crash.
Helipro owner Rick Lucas was full of praise for Taylor, who had been training fulltime with the company in Paraparaumu since August. "I just wanted to take him and his family home," Lucas said.
"The family has been going through hell, I just want them to be in their own surroundings."
Lucas described Taylor as an enthusiastic, talented young guy who got on with everyone. He said "he was right in our radar for the future of the company".
While the family was finalising funeral arrangements in Nelson, pilots were coming from overseas to attend Fielding's funeral at Paraparaumu Airport tomorrow.
Kapiti College is hosting Bevan Hookway's funeral the same day. -- Dominion Post