Surfers deliver farewell wave to a dear friend

The life of pilot Nikita Walker has been celebrated in a moving ceremony off Clifton Beach.

Friends of pilot Nikita Walker hold a paddle out ceremony to commemorate her life at Clifton Beach. Picture: NICK GREEN

THE life of pilot Nikita Walker has been celebrated in a moving ceremony off Clifton Beach.

Ms Walker died when her Par Avion aircraft crashed on December 8 near Federation Peak.

About 40 of her friends held a short paddle-out ceremony to commemorate the adventurous 30-year-old — who was a keen surfer.

They formed a circle and cast flowers on the water in her memory.

Ms Walker moved from Queensland to Tasmania in 2016 pursue her love of flying with local airline Par Avion.

She was remembered as a talented and respected pilot who also loved fishing, boating and the Tasmanian Wilderness.

Deceased pilot Nikita Walker was a keen surfer.

An avid traveller, Ms Walker made frequent trips overseas to surf and dive. She was remembered by colleagues and customers as a “happy, bubbly and energetic person” with an “amazing heart and soul”.

An investigation is in progress into the cause of the crash that claimed her life on a flight to retrieve tourists from Melaleuca.

Par Avion managing director Shannon Wells said after the crash that company had been inundated with messages of support after news broke: “It shows the character of Nikita,” he said.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the cause of the collision.

The plane turned back towards Hobart before it crashed in bad weather 100m below the summit of West Portal.

The ATSB said the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN2A-20 was destroyed by the impact.

The final report is expected to be completed late next year.