Last flight for fallen chopper pilot
Killed Wanaka pilot Matt Wallis has been remembered as a ‘‘perfect son’’, larger than life, with the ingenuity of MacGyver and class of James Bond.
Up to 2000 people gathered to farewell the 39-year-old at Alpine Helicopters Hanger in Wanaka, which the Wallis family has owned and operated for 55 years.
Wallis’ body was retrieved from the Stevenson Arm area of Lake Wanaka on Monday July 23, two days after his helicopter crashed on a short solo flight to Mt Aspiring National Park from Wanaka Airport.
Wallis’ body was found in the wrecked helicopter on the lake bottom.
Gary Paulin said his brother-in-law was a ‘‘consummate professional’’ with power of persuasion like a Jedi Knight.
‘‘There was not a better salesman or storyteller than Matt Wallis . . . He was the most generous and observant host, impeccably well mannered and never was there a half glass or awkward silence. Everyone was included. Everyone felt welcome . . . From cow cocky to city slicker, aristocrat to billionaire, young to old, sportsmen to Hollywood celebrity – no-one was immune to his charm.
‘‘Matt appeals to our sense of adventure . . . He was a gentleman. He put others needs before his own and was genuinely interested in people.’’
Alice Wallis said she first met her husband in the late 80s when they were children gecko hunting.
‘‘There was always an adventure to be had with Matt.’’
In 2006 the pair settled in Wanaka before they were married in 2008 and welcomed their son Arthur in 2013.