The pilot of a light aircraft missing after his plane disappeared off the coast of Wales has been named as Professor David Last.
Adverse weather conditions means the search for the 79-year-old was suspended 24 hours after the plane vanished off Penmon in Anglesey on Monday.
A statement issued from Professor Last's family described him as a much-loved father, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend.
It added: "We are all heartbroken. We would appreciate respect for our privacy during this difficult time.”
Professor Last had been flying a Cessna aircraft when it disappeared from radar contact, sparking a major search operation.
It had flown from Caernarfon Airport to the Great Orme in Llandudno and was returning to the airport when its altitude plummeted and it vanished.
Three life boats, other aircraft and police officers were involved in the search but despite two days of searches no trace of the Professor Last or his aircraft could be found.
The search was called off on Tuesday afternoon, after which police released a statement naming Professor Last.
Born in Manchester in 1940 and educated at The Manchester Grammar School, he was then awarded the degree of BSc(Eng) by the University of Bristol in 1961, PhD by the University of Sheffield in 1966 and DSc by the University of Wales in 1995.
Professor Last was a Consultant Engineer and Expert Witness specialising in Radio Navigation and Communications Systems.
He was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Bangor, Past-President of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a respected figure in the world-wide navigation community.
He was an experienced, instrument-rated pilot, his family has said.
As a consultant on radio-navigation and communications he advised companies and governmental and international organisations as an Expert Witness, especially in forensic matters concerning GPS.
In 2010 he was awarded the Harold Spencer-Jones Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of Navigation and in 2015 the Necho Award of the International Association of Institutes of Navigation.
North Wales Police say they are continuing to assist colleagues from HM Coastguard in their search for Professor Last.
Force liaison officers are continuing to support his family.
