UPDATE: Friend pays tribute to pilots who died in ultralight plane crash in far north Queensland

Two pilots who died when their ultralight planes crashed in far north Queensland have been remembered as popular members of the local community.

The two men have been identified as Robin Friend and Errol Young, News Corp reports.

“They were both thorough gentlemen and it’s a sad loss to the community,” Donnington Airpark owner Ray Smith said.

“They were well-known and respected fellows.”

Mr Friend reportedly had around 30,000 hours flying time, while Mr Young was a businessman in Townsville.

Search aircraft discovered the wreckage about 7.40am (AEST) today and have advised the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that neither pilot survived.

Initial investigations suggest the planes did not crash into each other.

There are powerlines not far from where the wreckage was found.

Debris from both aircraft was located within the 840-square kilometre search area around the Donnington Air Park, south of Townsville, where they took off yesterday.

AMSA said the search started at 10pm last night after the alarm was raised when the pilots, both males, failed to return from what was supposed to be a short joy-flight.

They were not carrying passengers.

The air search continued at first light this morning involving AMSA's Cairns-based fixed wing Dornier aircraft and a rescue helicopter from Townsville.

An AMSA spokeswoman said the wreckage from both planes was found in the same spot about 7km south of the Donnington Air Park.

A rescue plane landed near the site and a paramedic on board confirmed both pilots had died in the crash.

Their bodies have been removed from the site.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said the department was gathering information on the crash with assistance from Queensland Police and an official investigation was likely be launched this afternoon.

Any details about the cause of crash at this stage would only be speculation, the spokesman said.