Pilot dead after fiery crash in Queensland

A Townsville man is dead after his ultralight plane crashed and caught fire shortly after take off.

Ross Millard, 64, died when his two-seat aircraft crashed at Jones Rd at Woodstock, in Townsville, early on Sunday morning.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman told AAP firefighters had to cut the man's body out of the plane after the fire was extinguished.

There was very little left of the wreckage and paramedics deemed Mr Millard dead when they arrived, an ambulance spokeswoman said.

Members of the aviation community have posted messages of grief on Mr Millard's Facebook page.

"RIP old mate, Keep Flying wherever you are," one man said.

Recreational Aviation Australia is investigating.