Sybille Gautrey, a 33-year-old surveyor, was among those killed following a mid-air crash between two light aircraft in the skies above Coventry on 17 August, 2008.

She, James Beagley and Harvey Antrobus were carrying out a survey for the company Reconnaissance Ventures Ltd in a Cessna plane which was being flown by Sophie Hastings .

The Cessna and a Rand KR-2 kit-built plane piloted by Brian Normington , an experienced pilot from Leamington Spa, collided when they were both coming into land at Coventry Airport.

Ms Gautrey, a mother-of-one, who lived in Towcester, Northamptonshire, was a ground operations director for Reconnaissance Ventures based in Coventry.

She was described as "a kind, generous and loving mum, daughter, wife and friend."

The surveyor, who leaves behind a daughter, grew up in East Germany, attending the University of Berlin, before moving to the UK in 1997.

Her family said: "She made the most of the opportunities presented to her, and tried to do whatever she was asked and more to the best of her abilities, seeing things through to the end.

"Flying was her passion as well as her chosen career. She understood aviation, what it entailed and the professionalism and dedication that it required.

"She had a lot more to give and will be greatly missed."

Andrew Wilby, a member of South Northamptonshire Council, said: "It's a real shock and clearly very sad news. It will really upset the people of Towcester and I'm sure we would all extend our deepest sympathy to the family."