[propbeanie]

My memory tells me you should be able to pick-up any Allied pilot anywhere, anytime - but I might be remembering that wrong. You just do not get any credit for rescuing them, unless you have a mission assignment, and are inside the designated area. You do get the renown points though. When you went to pick the pilot up, were you on the bridge, with the bridge menu below, put the binoculars on the pilot, such that the cross-hair turns from yellow to red, and then press the "Lifesaver" button on the menu, while the cross-hair is red? It is easier to do over the bow, with slower, less boat movement, than over the side, with all of the rocking... ??