Flags are flying at half-mast at Tauranga Airport following the collision of two planes above the Manawatu in which a flight instructor who trained in the Bay of Plenty died.
Chief flight instructor, 27 year old Jess Neeson, died in the accident on Monday, while teaching a 60 year old student from Kapiti.

Two planes collided near Feilding at about 3.30pm on Monday. The two occupants of one of the planes died and the pilot of the other survived. Photo: Eric Thomas.

Jess trained at Bayflight Aviation Ltd from 2004 till 2006 and was highly regarded in the Bay of Plenty aviation community.
Bayflight CEO Laurence Barnett says Jess was a skilled pilot and a good person. She was also a top organiser as recognised by the role she performed at the New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation 50th anniversary rally held in Tauranga in June.

"In the National airwomen's event, Jess was the CFI (chief flying instructor) so she was a very competent pilot," says Laurence.
"CFI is a very important position. You have to be a very good pilot."
A part of this role was to ensure the smooth running of the flying events held, including organisation of judges and competitors.

Her death is a realistic reminder for aviators of the dangers involved in their trade.
"An accident is an accident and we are in a risk business," says Laurence.
"When something does happen it can be a tragedy."

Jess Nesson at the Women in Aviation event in Tauranga.

Of comfort for many of the people who knew Jess through flying is they are currently together attending an Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand conference in Palmerston North.