Tributes have been paid to a pilot who died in a light aircraft crash.

Glenn Paeckmeyer, who lived in Ashbrook between Hitchin and Stevenage, died on Monday when the aircraft he was flying came down in a school playing field in Somerset just after midday.

Mr Paeckmeyer, who was a company director of G&A Plumbing & Heating Ltd based in Station Road, Arlesey, was due to fly home on Sunday but decided to stay over in Dorset.

He was chairman of the Hertfordshire Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (HCPSA) and part of the shotgun jury at last year’s Olympic Games.

Paying tribute, Martin Barker, vice chairman of the HCPSA, said: “Glenn was a level-headed guy and always listened to people’s views. He was an all-round nice guy and this is an absolute tragedy.

“I was due to see him on Sunday at a shooting competition in Nuthampstead, near Royston.

“Glenn travelled the world and he was passionate about flying and clay pigeon shooting.”

A representative from shotgun cartridge manufacturer Lyalvale Express tweeted: “Thoughts are with his family. RIP Glenn a true gent.”

Peter Croft, president of the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation, said: “I knew Glenn for more than 40 years, he was valued member of the federation and all round really nice guy. We are all devastated.”

Mr Paeckmeyer was flying alone in his Socata Tobago TB10 and there were no other people injured in the crash.

The father-of-one, who ran G&A Plumbing & Heating Ltd with his son Michael, was in his 60s.

The experienced pilot got into difficulty when flying his four-seater plane, which came down in thick fog in a field near Downside School, Stratton-on-the-Fosse.

Mr Paeckmeyer was well-known in the field of clay target shooting and was the discipline representative in the Universal Trench category for the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation.

A special mass was held for the pilot and his family by students and staff at the independent Somerset school on Monday evening.

Mr Paeckmeyer leaves behind wife Diane and son Michael.