Hyuga, in the co-pilot's seat, with Misato and Shinji in the foreground.
HYUGA:“Yes?”
MISATO (BACK):“Withdraw immediately once you've released the Eva.
Ascend until you reach a safe altitude.”
UrsusArctos: Yet another instance of "the main characters do everything". Hyuga being qualified to sit in the pilot's seat is a bit of a stretch - they could've gotten a nameless pilot to follow Misato's orders just as well.
imprimatur13: Obviously, what happened is, they put out a notice on the NERV PA system. "We need someone to pilot the helicopter to pick up Captain Katsuragi. Any-"
Hyuga: "I'll do it."
Maya: "But you don't know how to fly a helicopter!"
Hyuga: "Maya, there comes a time in every man's life when he must do the impossible, disregarding any thoughts of personal safety. That time, is now."
