A pilot who died when his glider crashed in the Cairngorms was one of the country's most experienced gliding enthusiasts, it emerged yesterday.

The family of James Davidson, 51, who lived in the Ashley area of Aberdeen, said the sport had been a major part of his life since he was introduced to it as a student.

A team from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was examining the wreckage of the two-seater glider which came down in rough ground near Tomintoul on Sunday.

His 31-year-old passenger, who has not been named, is seriously ill in hospital in Inverness.

The two men had been taking part in a competition organised by Deeside Gliding Club, which said the aircraft had been flying a cross-country course in suitable weather conditions as part of the UK Mountain Soaring Championships, an annual event held by the club.

A spokeswoman said the aircraft pilot was "fully competent and experienced" in such flying and the second pilot was also qualified. "At this time our thoughts are with the families and friends of the pilots that were involved in the incident," she said.

Grampian Police appealed for anyone who saw the glider prior to the accident to contact them on 0845 600 5 700.

Keith Auchterlonie, communications manager for the British Gliding Association, said the principal risks in gliding were pilot error, mechanical malfunction or a medical problem.