TUPELO - Jimmy Foote doesn't want anyone to call him a hero. What he did, he says, is what anybody else would have done.

Maybe so, but Foote, the corporate pilot for Vector Transport in Tupelo, last month was the first person to respond to what was deemed an "in-flight emergency" by officials.

Responding to a request of help, Foote turned his plane around to help talk another plane's passenger through lowering the plane to a safer level.

Foote was flying with Vector owner Joe Estess near Columbus, Ohio, when they heard Indianapolis air traffic controllers ask for help.

"They couldn't get the pilot of the plane to respond and were looking for somebody familiar with that type of aircraft," Estess said.

The pilot in the other plane had passed out from a lack of oxygen. His daughter was conscious, but was beginning to show signs of losing consciousness as well. The FAA did not release their names or ages.

Fortunately, Foote had logged many hours in the Cirrus 22 turbo single-engine plane. He turned his plane around to maintain radio contact and talked to the daughter, helping her fly the aircraft to a lower altitude.

Problem was, the daughter didn't know much about flying.

"It was very scary," Foote said. "She didn't know the terminology and she was unfamiliar with the controls."

But barely flinching, Foote managed to coax the girl to turn off the automatic pilot, then helped her to reduce power and to slowly allow the plane to descend.

Said Estess, "I really thought she wasn't going to make it and that she was going to die."

Eventually, the girl's father regained consciousness and landed the plane.

Ironically, he never knew he was in danger and at first refused to land, Estess said.

Neither were aware at the time that a pilot from Tupelo helped save their lives - and possibly others', too.

"It was a frightening situation, very intense," Foote said. "You knew what we could do could possibly hurt her. But if you didn't do anything, then it could have been fatal."

Tupelo Regional Airport Executive Director Terry Anderson, a former Navy pilot, had high praise for Foote.

"If you're knowledgeable, experienced and calm, cool and collective, you're the consummate pilot," Anderson said. "Right place, right time, right person."

Foote's actions were recognized by the air traffic manager in Indianapolis, who wrote in a letter of commendation noting his "superior contribution."

"Your unselfish actions and assistance did not go unnoticed," wrote Charles Smith. "Please accept our sincere appreciation for your actions and assistance which you so freely provided during that critical situation. Your willingness to assist fellow aviators in a time of distress is truly inspiring to all of us involved in aviation safety."