The last time helicopter pilot Dave Armstrong met hunter Scott Lee, he was saving his life.

On Friday they met again – in court as the pilot pleaded to avoid jail time for his part in the rescue.

The pilot admitted he broke the rules when he rescued Lee, who was left dangling, injured, on the edge of a 50-metre drop after falling in remote bush north of Kaikoura.

Another rescue helicopter had already turned back and Lee has told of fearing for his life as he slipped further down the cliff, tethered to a tree by his girlfriend Lisa McKenzie's clothing.

Armstrong was prosecuted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over the rescue because he flew while banned after having a suspected "mini stroke" – which he later challenged.

Lee has called Armstrong his "hero" and pleaded for mercy for the embattled pilot.

Armstrong pleaded guilty in Kaikoura District Court on Friday to breaking flying rules to rescue Lee on April 5, 2014. The charges also referred to an April 21 flight Armstrong made last year, looking for kayakers in the Clarence River.

He asked a judge for mercy ahead of sentencing in Christchurch in December.

The charges bring a maximum penalty of $10,000 in fines, or 12 months' jail for each offence.

The prosecution had provoked widespread public outrage. An online petition in support of Armstrong had gathered almost 4000 signatures and pilots advocacy groups had come out swinging at the CAA.

The CAA summary of facts supplied to the court said that, in July 2012, Armstrong had woken in a "confused state" and

a doctor said he might have suffered a mini-stroke.

He was sent for further testing, grounded for two years and stripped of his medical certificate.

He was eligible to reapply for it in June 2014.

When Lee fell and broke his femur in the remote Puhi Puhi Valley, another rescue helicopter were unable to get in close enough and, with fuel running out, had to turn back.

They contacted Armstrong to ask if he could help, and he initially rode passenger to his younger co-pilot. But with darkness and cloud setting in, he

decided it was best if he flew the rescue crews in.

The doctor he flew – the same who saw him for the mini-stroke – and the local Search and Rescue team knew Armstrong was not supposed to be flying, but police did not, the summary says.

Amrstrong ferried in two rescue teams and eight police to the trampers, in three flights.

Police later commented the weather was "deteriorating" and they were "amazed" at Armstrong's efforts.

Afterwards, Armstrong had his co-pilot list himself as being in command.

In May 2014 police were tipped off that Armstrong was not meant to be flying.

The summary said Armstrong "downplayed" his role but eventually admitted it to the CAA. He also took responsibility for asking his employees to make false entries in the logbook.

Two other police and SAR mission flights in November 2013 were also investigated but not prosecuted, as the CAA did not prepare its prosecution in time, the summary said.

It is understood the flights were missions Armstrong flew to search for and then retrieve the body of Pete Manning, lost in the Kaikoura Seaward Ranges,

The CAA's lawyer, Chris Macklin, opposed the request for a discharge without conviction.

Two charges CAA also laid against Armstrong's company, Kaikoura Helicopters, accused of assigning Armstrong as flight crew while knowing he did not hold a current appropriate medical licence, were withdrawn.

Armstrong was supported at court yesterday by family, including his son Lee, also a helicopter pilot.

Scott Lee had travelled from his home of Christchurch to support Armstrong at court and planned to go to his sentencing too.

"I think it's gone quite well today, it [people in court with him] shows the support there is behind Dave. I will definitely be there in Christchurch to support him again."

Armstrong said the outpouring of public support he had received was "humbling."

"I don't want to be in the limelight, it's quite embarrassing really. I'm overwhelmed with the support. I really appreciate it.

"Thank you to everyone who's jumped on the bandwagon. It hasn't gone unnoticed and it's certainly appreciated, that's for sure."

"It has been quite humbling to see the level of support. It is really quite heart-warming to see that."