Armstrong then attempted the rescue, and it is understood he sat alongside his co-pilot as a supervisor because he was suspended from flying.
But his junior struggled to make the manouevre in their Robinson R44 light four-seater machine.
This says it all. Mr Armstrong didn't just blatantly go out ignoring NZ CAA ruling, and his initial intentions were legal. But with possessing a good knowledge of the local area he then took over to assist in the final manoeuvre. It's not clear on the nature of his medical condition but the junior pilot was able to legally fly the rescue team out to the location and probably returned the ship.
On the surface it does seems like a bit of rough treatment though.