Seaworld helicopter crash pilots: Michael James praised for actions after crash ... trends now
Experienced pilot Michael James has been praised for his quick thinking and cool reaction after his Seaworld helicopter was struck in the cockpit.
Mr James, 52, is believed to have only worked as a SeaWorld helicopter pilot on the Gold Coast for a year, although he is said to be highly skilled with many prior years of flying.
However, on Monday afternoon his skills were put to the test when he collided with British coworker Ash Jenkinson, 40, mid-flight.
It is understood Mr Jenkinson's helicopter had spent all of 20 seconds in the air after take-off before crashing into the bottom of Mr James'.
Experienced helicopter pilot Michael James (right) has been praised for remaining calm during the horror Seaworld crash that killed four on Monday
Mr James managed to keep his Seaworld helicopter (right) upright during a crash on Monday after colliding with coworker Ash Jenkinson
Mr James' five passengers all survived the tragic crash with one left completely unharmed (pictured, Mr James' helicopter following the crash)
Despite the horror crash which killed four, Mr James managed to land his aircraft upright on a sandbar between Seaworld and Gold Coast's popular Broadwater beach.
Living north of Brisbane, the pilot spent four days a week staying on the Gold coast to work for SeaWorld and was recently featured in a Facebook post on SeaWorld Helicopters after taking a 35-year-old terminally ill man for a chopper ride.
Veteran joy-flight tour boss, Gold Coast Heli-Tours director Scott Menzies marvelled at how Mr James handled himself as Monday's tragedy unfolded.
Mr Menzies, who was in the air nearby at the time of the crash, said it was remarkable the pilot was able to land his craft safely in the moments after the collision, saving his life and those of his five passengers.
One of his passengers was completely unharmed in the horror crash.
