A Queenstown helicopter pilot is ending the year on a high after landing an international award.
Jason Laing, a high-altitude pilot, has been recognised by the Helicopter Association International (HAI) as one of the winners of its Salute to Excellence Awards, for Pilot of the Year.
The HAI website says the award identifies active pilots who have shown exceptional professionalism.
Citing Mr Laing's achievements, it mentioned his efforts after a huge avalanche at 5850m on Mt Everest in 2014.
"Operating near the limits of his helicopter, Laing landed twice to carry out seriously injured survivors.
"A year later, in April 2015, a huge earthquake strong enough to move Mt Everest two inches struck, cutting off communication with hundreds of rural communities. The day after the quake, Laing was tasked to fly to one such village, where he found the village destroyed with some 500 lives lost.
"Laing returned to base and raised the alarm to begin a major rescue effort. Next, he was sent to camps one and two, where some 140 climbers had been trapped by a collapsed icefall.''
Mr Laing declined to comment on the award when contacted by the Otago Daily Times this week.
The Salute to Excellence Awards will be presented in the US next year.
