Harrison Ford has returned to the pilot's seat for the first time since his plane crash in March.

The 72-year-old actor has spent weeks in recovery due to a large head laceration, broken pelvis and ankle, after crashing his vintage two-seater fighter plane into the Penmar Golf Course on 5 March, due to a mechanical failure.

However, the 'Indiana Jones' star has now been pictured for the first time dual piloting a helicopter at Santa Monica airport in Los Angeles.

Coming in to land, Harrison was seen smiling towards onlookers, clearly pleased to get his first flight out of the way.

Harrison's helicopter ride comes after he was also seen driving to Steven Speilberg's house earlier this week, looking ''happy''.

A source previously said: ''Harrison seemed fine and drove himself to Steven Spielberg's house for a visit. After spending weeks in the hospital, he seemed happy to be back at home. He makes small errands and visits friends.''

Following the flight crash, the 'Star Wars' actor's son Ben Ford took to Twitter to reassure fans at the time.

The 47-year-old chef wrote: ''At the hospital. Dad is ok. Battered, but ok. He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is an incredibly strong man.''