Tributes for NZ helicopter pilot killed in Cairns crash
Tributes for a pilot with dreams of flying commercially in Australia have offered tragic insight into the life of a young New Zealand man who died after crashing a helicopter into a Cairns hotel.
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Tributes for a pilot with dreams of flying commercially in Australia have offered tragic insight into the life of a young New Zealand man who died after stealing and crashing a helicopter into a Cairns Esplanade hotel.
A post to social media earlier featuring the Cairns Eye ferris wheel in April revealed Blake Wilson’s excitement at leaving his home country to begin a new adventure with Nautilus Aviation in Cairns.
“The new home in Far North Queensland, excited to see what this adventure brings,” he wrote.
Sixteen weeks later the 23-year-old would be dead after a firey crash into the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.
The former hiking guide had been based in Queenstown and left a position with Ultimate Hikes in 2021 to pursue an ambition to fly helicopters.
The following year, after moving to Christchurch, the 23-year-old completed his helicopter pilot training with Christchurch Helicopters before arriving at Cairns in April to take up a ground crew position with Nautilus Aviation.
“I’m very proud to announce that I’m officially a commercial helicopter pilot,” he posted to Instagram.
“It was a busy 18 months of hard mahi (work), late nights in the books and some challenging days in the seat but all up an incredible experience.”
Posts to Instagram by Mr Wilson exploring waterfalls in the Redlynch Valley and enjoying a night out at Gilligan’s suggest a young man enjoying his new life in the Far North.
Mr Wilson was not authorised to fly helicopters in Australia when he stole a R44 Robinson helicopter from inside the Nautilus Aviation hangar and crashed into the roof of DoubleTree by Hilton at about 1.50am on Monday.
Christchurch Helicopters in a statement to the Cairns Post paid tribute to their former student.
“Blake completed his Diploma in Aviation with Christchurch Helicopters in 2022,” the statement read.
“He was well-liked by the staff and his fellow classmates.
“He will be missed by the team at Christchurch Helicopters and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Jono Spring, from Palmerston North in New Zealand - Mr Wilson’s hometown - expressed his sadness at the loss of his mate.
“I am so sorry bud,” he said on Facebook.
“You hadn’t even lived your life yet … this wasn’t the plan, this wasn’t how it was meant to be.
“We haven’t caught up in a while, but it really hurts me to know that now we can’t.
“Thanks for being part of something special that we had going here in Palmy.
“You were a big part of that, and you will forever be missed.”
On Tuesday police stated initial investigations had determined Mr Wilson from Smithfield was the sole occupant of the helicopter and died at the scene.
Mr Wilson has just been promoted to a position within Nautilus Aviation and was due to arrive at Horn Island in the Torres Strait, but he never boarded his plane on Monday morning.
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Originally published as Tributes for NZ helicopter pilot killed in Cairns crash
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