I've not read the article, and my comments are in no way personally directed at that chap, they are just my humble observation on the rhetorical question.....
What makes a hero is the media. What makes a hero is the way he or she (if a heroine) is written or talked about or perceived by others.
Just a question of perception+publicity, that's all.
One person's hero can be another person's villain - and you may change your mind if you receive supplementary information at a later point. And it doesnt make a jot of difference unless you're the person handing out the medals.....
Certainly the case with many war heros. And I'm not getting at any patriots or anyone at all, but if a famous UK WWII hero happened to shoot your grandad down in an air battle you might not think he was a hero (in fact you'd probably believe your grandad was).
I think the vast majority of professionals in this world get a bigger kick out of doing their job properly rather than striving to be a hero.
I'd like to bet our jet glider pilot fits into that category regardless of his past. In all probability, if (and only if) he HAD done something wrong, he'll be kicking himself up the backside for some time to come, despite the fact that he, his crew and ATC saved all on board.
Ok I'm bound to have slipped up somewhere in that philosophical swamp, come and get me lads (& lasses).......