James and Michael Willis.
THE pilot whose father and brother died while competing in the same Island air race has paid tribute to them.
Jonathan Willis, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire, revealed his 73-year-old retired airline pilot father was a hero who once saved the lives of 100 people on board a commercial aircraft he was flying from Majorca.
Michael Willis was at the controls of a light aircraft which plummeted into Rowlands Wood, near Havenstreet, after colliding with another plane in the round the Island Merlin Trophy race on Saturday, the precursor event to the Schneider Trophy.
Both Mr Willis, from Middlesex, and his 42-year-old navigator son, James, from London, died instantly three miles from the Bembridge Airport finish.
Jonathan Willis, 38, said: "My father was a lively man who was fun to be around.
"He was a retired airline pilot who once landed a plane carrying more than 100 passengers with no navigation or communication systems after damage in bad weather.
"Shortly after leaving Palma at night, hailstones detached the aircraft’s nose cone, causing a complete electrical failure.
" After the thunderstorm cleared, dad navigated using the North Star, Paris, and the Edgware Road to land the aircraft safely at Luton Airport."
He added: "James was not just a great brother but also a great friend. He was kind, thoughtful and generous. He had a good sense of humour, was loved by his wife and adored by his children. "Although not a pilot himself, James had a great interest in aviation and frequently navigated for Michael at air races. He also enjoyed recording and producing electronic music."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk