The pilot of a gyrocopter that crashed in Victorian bushland, killing him and his passenger, has been remembered as an experienced flyer and beloved father.
The bodies of both men, named in media reports as 51-year-old pilot Reg Thaggard and international student Jordan Peng, were found in rugged terrain in Kinglake National Park early on Sunday morning.
A police plane finally spotted the wreckage of the aircraft in dense bushland after search crews had spent hours scouring the park for both men.
It was supposed to have been a 15-minute flight from the Yarra Valley conference centre, taking off just after 7pm (AEDT) on Saturday.
But Victoria Police Acting Senior Sergeant Colin Anderson said the pair had been flying over a remote area of the ranges to view bushfire damage when the aircraft went down.
"It's devastating to all concerned - people involved that have to retrieve people from the situation and those directly involved with the people that have been killed," he said.
One of the pilot's friends, Damien Mould, said losing Mr Thaggard was like losing a family member.
"It's devastating to me," he told the Nine Network.
"He's a family man. He's a wonderful guy."
He leaves behind a wife and several children.
Mr Thaggard's passenger is believed to have been an 18-year-old student from Singapore.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
Many in the flying community believe the crash couldn't have been the result of pilot error.
"He's an extremely good pilot," Mr Mould said.
"I'm sure he would have down everything in his power to try and get that aircraft down safely."
