Ben Morris, aged 33, of Martin Street, Upperthorpe, was flying with the Derbyshire Soaring Club when he crashed into rocks at Bretton Edge, near Eyam.

His body was located in an area of gorse, and he was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of friends and emergency crews to revive him.

Today a probe was underway by Department of Transport air accident investigators and the police, as friends paid tribute to a "generous, warm, funny" man.

One fellow paraglider said: "Ben died doing what he loved to do - what we all love to do - to fly like a bird.

"It is certainly not without its risks, but those of us who are passionate about this beautiful sport know one thing for sure - the rewards are so great it is worth it."

An investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is due to involve an examination of Ben's glider. Club members flying with him at the time have also been asked to provide witness statements.

Ben was a Sheffield University graduate with a degree in Engineering Materials. He co-owned Pro Friction, a car-parts company based in Attercliffe, making high-performance brake pads for racing and rally cars.

Dad Angus Morris, aged 66, said Ben, a single man, loved the outdoor life and had been born and brought up in Chinley in the Peak District.

"He had been captain of his sailing team, he loved snow boarding, and he was a paraglider," he said. Ben also leaves mum Hope, 63, and an older brother Richard, 35.

Mike Miller, Derbyshire Soaring Club's safety officer, described Ben as "a brilliant lad" and added: "His infectious enthusiasm for life and flying was evident to all who knew him."

He said Ben's death was the first fatality among Derbyshire's paragliding community for years.

"This is the first such death we have had for decades and we are really upset about it and hope to never experience anything like it again," said Mr Miller.

"Ben was a very well-liked guy and a big part of our club and the flying community. He had been flying regularly for around three years and was a good recreational pilot - this is a terrible loss."

Friends used Derbyshire Soaring Club's internet forum to post messages about the tragedy.

One said: "Like everyone in this club I feel absolutely gutted. It certainly brings home the fragility of what we do, yet we all know we will keep on doing it."

Another said: "BenMo was such a generous, warm, funny person, and brilliant company. I can't believe we're not going to see that big grin any more."

Another said: "I am in shock. It is cruel beyond belief. I am going to miss him greatly."