Chris Mosca qualified as a pilot when he was 18.
(Facebook)
Jeremy Pierce
The Courier-Mail
At just 22, Chris Mosca was already a qualified pilot with Jetstar and dreamed of flying the big birds.
The Gold Coaster's love of flying was matched only by his passion for motorbikes, a love affair that ended in tragedy when he was killed during a practice session at Willowbank's Queensland Raceway on Wednesday.
Mr Mosca was thrown 40m through the air when his bike clipped the back tire of another bike after the open-ride session went under a red flag due to debris on the track.
Mr Mosca, who died at the track, had been looking forward to the session for weeks.
Motorbikes were a weekend hobby for the man who loved adrenalin-charged activities in the outdoors, but flying planes was his life.
A qualified pilot since the age of 18, Mr Mosca was the first pilot in Jetstar's cadet program.
He learnt his craft flying sea planes with Gold Coast outfit Cloud 9. His early instructor, Pete Murray, said Mr Mosca was one of the most talented and enthusiastic pilots he knew.
"He was a fantastic natural pilot," he said. "What has happened is just heart-breaking."
Jetstar chief pilot Captain Mark Rindfleish said he would be sorely missed.
"He was a popular and enthusiastic team member," he said.
"The thoughts of everyone at Jetstar, in particular those based on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, are with Chris' family and loved ones."
Friends of the Ashmore man took to social media yesterday to pay tribute.
"Thanks for the laughs, keeping me safe in the skies," wrote one former co-worker.
"It was an absolute pleasure to know you. We miss you already."
A friend wrote: "You were the most respectful, loyal, smart and loving man I know."
Mr Mosca's motorcycle will be examined by the police forensic crash unit to test for mechanical problems that may have contributed to the collision.
Story and Photos: http://www.heraldsun.com.au
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