The ex-RAF flyer had 20 years' experience and had flown some 600 hours in aircraft like the Rand KR2 'kit plane' involved in Sunday's accident.

Retired Mr Normington, who built the machine in 1998, was described as a "fine chap" with "Wright brothers levels of enthusiasm" by friends.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Coventry AWA (Air Armstrong Whitworth Group) Flying Club.

The pilot of the other aircraft involved in the accident, a twin-engine Cessna 402, is said to have been Sophie Hastings, a woman in her 20s conducting a routine 90-minute flight for Baginton-based aerial survey company Reconnaissance Ventures Ltd.

Her crew included fellow flyer James Beagley, in his 20s, another female pilot and engineer Harvey Antrobus, 28.

Mr Antrobus was vice president of the Warwickshire Federation of Young Farmers.

His grandmother Annie told the Daily Telegraph he was a "wonderful boy, very kind and considerate" who "had "a beautiful nature" about him.

All were well-known to operators and the tight-knit flying community at the Baginton airport.

Eyewitnesses praised Miss Hastings for steering away from a housing estate at Binley Woods after a side-on collision at 700ft which caused her right engine to explode.

Colin Dennis, the managing director of Reconnaissance Ventures, described her as an experienced pilot who had been "flying for many years". The Cessna, he said, was on a "perfectly normal" approach at the time of the collision.

An entry on a tribute website to Mr Beagley said: "For the most genuine, honest and decent guy I know. You are forever in our hearts."

Another read: "Fair winds and blue skies - that was what it was like being in your company Jim".

A networking website entry said of Mr Antrobus: "You lived his life like there was no tomorrow, so we know you would have had no regrets."

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The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is continuing to piece together what caused the Cessna and the Rand KR2, described by the British Microlight Association as a "two-seat home-built light aircraft", to collide above Coombe Abbey.

The Rand came down in fields off Coventry Road, near Brinklow, its wreckage spread over a square mile.

Distraught families visited the edge of the second crash site at Birchley Wood, Brandon on Monday, where specialist teams worked in difficult terrain.

Emergency services and the RAF, had difficulty finding the crash site in the dense woodland and needed guidance from the air.

Three paramedic officers, fire services and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were among those sent to attend the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Sending the helicopter assisted the ambulance service by making it easier to find the locations of the two aircraft which were approximately a mile apart.

"Sadly there was nothing that could be done other than the grim task of confirming the deaths of the five people."

Coventry Airport chief executive Chris Orphanou was "devastated" by the news.

Police described the crash as "a tragic accident". The incident is the second time five people have died on the approach to Baginton, following a 1994 accident in which a Boeing 737 cargo aeroplane crashed at Willenhall Woods after clipping two houses.

"Jim (James) was one in a million – fondly remembered and sorely missed – stay in the clouds hun xx" - Johanna Barnes

"Jim – one of the most genuine, friendly, positive and determined guys we ever met. We will remember you man, forever, and so too will everyone who knew you at White Waltham Airfield/West London Aero Club." - Kev and Helen Lamb

"Jim (james) - you were a brilliant bloke, great co-worker, and fantastic pilot. you always made us laugh and always had a smile on your face...you will be terribly missed and never, ever forgotten. Make sure you have fun up there and make sure you save some booze for when we get there. All our love forever more, Jan, Kerri and Aaron (Elite Helicopters)."