Pilot of fatal glider crash Greig Wanless remembered by friends as someone who 'just loved to help people'

Greig (middle) with his wife Karen and daughter Alannah at a school valedictory dinner. (Supplied)

Melbourne’s Ivanhoe Grammar School is mourning the death of a former teacher who was killed in a glider crash in Victoria’s east.

Greig Wanless, 73, was the pilot of the 1983-built glider when it crashed on the Mount Beauty airfield on Saturday.

Despite efforts from paramedics, the father of three and his passenger, 39-year-old Melbourne mother Kate Callingham, both died.

The ABC understands the two were family friends, and the purpose of the flight was to scatter the ashes of a loved one.

Mr Wanless is survived by his wife Karen and three children.

He was a retired Ivanhoe Grammar School teacher and had also been a student there. Two of his children attend the school.

Ivanhoe Grammar principal Gerard Foley described Mr Wanless as a “fantastic person”, who was an outstanding, active member of the school community.

“He just loves to help people.”

Mr Foley said the school community was devastated and grieving.

“We will wrap our arms around Karen and the family and support them as much as we can.”

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Mr Foley said Mr Wanless was preparing to go to Cambodia in June to help students build classrooms.

“Greig has played a pivotal role in that.

“He was just doing it because he loved children and helping out.”

Mr Wanless also supported an aviation scholarship program for students at Ivanhoe Grammar.

“It really sums up the person he was. He just wanted to help others,” Mr Foley said.

Victoria Police said Ms Callingham and Mr Wanless were flying in a glider over Embankment Drive when the aircraft crashed about 1:45pm on Saturday.

Police said Ms Callingham and Mr Wanless were the only people on board the aircraft.

Ms Callingham was described by friends on Saturday as a much-loved mother, partner, friend and daughter, and a leader of the arts and cultural communities in Melbourne.

Mr Wanless was a member of the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the community was saddened by the loss of one of its members.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, brigade members and his community,” Mr Heffernan said in a statement.

“We will continue to support his family and fellow brigade members through this difficult time.”

The state’s gliding association are investigating the cause the cause of the crash.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.