Tributes have been paid to two friends feared to have died after their plane crashed into the English Chanel in "freak weather conditions".
Lee Rogers and Brian Statham had taken off from Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon, Warkwickshire, at around 10.30am on April 2.
They were heading to Le Touquet, a seaside town in northern France, when their Piper PA-28R lost radar contact before crashing into the English Channel.
The trip was part of a group fly out with the South Warwickshire Flying School, which included several other aircraft.
An investigation is currently being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) into the cause of the crash which is believed to happened during a snow storm.
Today, both Lee and Brian’s families paid tribute to their loved ones as they made appeals to help locate their bodies.
A joint response was launched by the French Coastguard and HM Coastguard to search an area off the Kent and Sussex coast but so far they have not been found.
In a statement issued by Warwickshire Police, Lee's family said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful father, a loving husband, and a devoted family man Lee Rogers, who has been taken from us due to a tragic air accident."
They said with the search having been called off on Sunday evening, they have "no choice but to assume" Lee died.
"Anybody who knew Lee will testify to a larger-than-life character who lived life to the full, a man with a big heart and limitless generosity.
"A skilled and enthusiastic pilot, a lover of all manner of fast and loud machines, which also included a newfound love of yachting.
"He will leave behind a large wake and will be missed greatly - not only by his family but his legion of friends and colleagues."
The statement added that Lee will forever be a "legendary figure in the IT world" as well as the Warwickshire community.
"Not only a successful entrepreneur, known for his principled and uncompromising code of ethics, Lee was also a kind-hearted supporter of various charities," it said.
He supported Guide Dogs and had recently raised puppy Dixon - who then went on to officially qualify as a sight dog - and raised money for additional dogs.
Lee was also a devoted family man who married wife Sarah eight years ago and they "shared genuine adventures" - not least the "apple of his eye" daughter Ellie.
"Lee had a daily tale to tell of his little girl, another larger-than-life character who reflects her parents in all the best ways," his family continued.
"It’s not fair that Ellie should be parted with her father so young, or that Sarah should be robbed of her husband way before his time or that Lee’s parents and sister lose a son and brother.
"Life isn’t fair, but few leave a legacy like Lee, even if they had a hundred lifetimes."
Brian's family said they are "deeply saddened" to have lost the two friends.
On Thursday, Brian's flight bag was found and handed in by a tourist on the beach at Le Touquet.
His family said they are "deeply thankful for this kind and helpful act".
"This has been vital evidence to help us understand what happened on their last flight."
They went on to ask for anyone who lives on the northern coast of France or southern coast of England, or spends anytime at the beaches, "please be vigilant for any form of aircraft debris, clothes and personal items".
"If you see anything, please pick it up and hand it into the local authorities.
"Your help in this, could provide comfort and closure for the families and allow us to start the grieving process.
"As of this week, our loved ones are missing and we are unable to even consider a funeral," they added.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said previously: “HM Coastguard supported the French Coastguard with the search for a light aircraft, last known position 25 miles off Dungeness, on April 2.
"HM Coastguard was made aware of a missing light aircraft just after 10.30am on April 2 after radar contact was lost with the aircraft when it was travelling across the Channel from the UK to France.
“Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-the-Solent, together with two fixed wing aircraft as well as the Dungeness and Hastings RNLI lifeboats, joined French search and rescue resources in the search on April 2 and 3.
"Nothing was found and the searches were suspended at 5.50pm on April 3."
A spokesman for France’s Maritime Prefecture said: “An emergency operation did not uncover any sign of the crash on Saturday, and on Sunday a helicopter flew across the search area but found nothing.
"The direct search has been called off, but anyone discovering debris is asked to contact the maritime authorities.”
