Navy and police specialist dive squads have hailed Brent Pihama's recovery rig as ingenious.
The body of Mr Saxton and most of the fuselage of his two-seater Robinson R22 was hauled to the surface of Lake Wanaka on Wednesday night.
Mr Pihama said his rig was "a simple solution to a complex problem".
The Wanaka River Journeys owner said the idea for the rig was "hardly black magic" and merely a trick of the trade learnt during 36 years of global experience working as a commercial diver for offshore oil rigs.
Mr Pihama took one of his teenage son Rangi's ski poles and attached a hook connected to a length of rope.
The contraption was secured to the navy's underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV).
The ROV was manoeuvred by remote control and underwater camera to attach the hook to an engine strut of Mr Saxton's helicopter - 94m beneath the surface of Lake Wanaka.
The ex-SAS New Zealand Army soldier has undergone navy dive training and is also a commercial helicopter pilot.
He has lived in Wanaka for three years.
Navy diving team Lieutenant-commander Andrew McMillan said Mr Pihama's "ingenious rig" was crucial to the successful recovery of Mr Saxton's body and equipment.
A crew of 15 people had hauled the sunken helicopter "hand-over-hand" from the depths, Lt-cmdr McMillan said.
Mr Saxton's body was belted inside the cabin of the wrecked chopper.
The cabin of the chopper was extensively damaged and had a rotor blade and tailwing attached to it.
When operational, R22s weigh about 396kg, and Lt-cmdr McMillan estimated the wreck was "substantially less" at about 250kg.
Lake waters had also provided a buoyant effect when hauling up the helicopter.
Mr Saxton (31) went missing about 6pm on Saturday during a routine flight across Lake Wanaka from Haast, while accompanied by his father, Dave, flying in another helicopter.
Searchers concentrated on an oil slick discovered on Sunday near Mou Waho Island.
The location was positively identified as the crash site when sonar equipment located the R22's engine on Monday night.
The wrecked remains of the R22 helicopter were transported to a secure hangar at Wanaka Airport yesterday, where Transport Accident Investigation Commission officer Ian McClelland began preliminary inspections.
Police have referred the incident to the coroner for routine investigation into the cause of the death.
Lt-cmdr McMillan said everyone involved in the search and salvage operation was "extremely pleased" they had been able to find Mr Saxton's body and provide some closure for his family.
The likelihood of recovery had been "very low" when dive teams were first called in on Monday, he said"Our condolences go out to the Saxton family at this sad and tragic time."
The navy diver thanked the Wallis family for their efforts and acknowledged the great assistance provided by Wanaka's search and rescue and aviation communities.
Saxton family spokesman Nick Wallis asked for their privacy to be respected when approached by the Otago Daily Times for comment at Wanaka airport yesterday.
