Glenn Paeckmeyer, a former member of Britain's team, died when his plane crashed near Chilcompton in Somerset yesterday.

The 66-year-old had been flying back to his home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, from an airfield in Somerset after spending the weekend at a British shooting event in Evershot, near Dorchester.

Paeckmeyer had been a major figure in the world of clay target shooting for decades having been a Board member of the British International Clay Target Shooting Federation (BICTSF) for many years.

In a tribute on the BICTSF website Paeckmeyer is described as a "larger than life characters who made an impression on everyone he met and everywhere he went."

It added: "He had a great ability to make people laugh and smile yet still had the presence and ability to get things done smoothly and efficiently.

"He has made so many people smile and made so many good things happen. Glenn was passionate and determined in all things he did."

Emergency crews gather at the scene where Glenn Paeckmeyer's plane crashed near Chilcompton in Somerset

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) also left a statement in memoriam for Paeckmeyer.

"The ISSF mourns the loss of an honored and distinguished colleague, Glenn Paeckmeyer (GBR), who tragically died in a flying accident on Monday 30th of September 2013," it said.

"Glenn made many friends in the international shooting community within the ISSF; he loved his shooting and was always willing to help others in his role of Judge, putting himself out to fight for the good of the sport.

"The ISSF expresses sincere condolences to his wife Diane, son Michael, to his family and to British Shooting."

Paeckmeyer also supported his local shoots and was chairman of the Hertfordshire Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (HCPSA).

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