'HE died doing what he lived for' says the mother of pilot and former city schoolboy James Beagley – one of five people killed in the Coventry air crash.

Liz Tompkins, of Walnut Tree, said her son had packed 100 years of living into his 34 years.

James, who attended Ousedale School when the family lived in Newport Pagnell, died when a twin-engined Cessna collided with a micro-light aircraft near Coventry Airport last month.

He and fellow pilots had apparently been taking turns to test the landing gear on the plane when disaster struck.

They all worked for a survey company at the airport. The micro-light pilot also died.

Even as a teenager James loved speed and adventure with a string of motorbikes and cars. He even had a horse called Quattro.

"But he devoted his life to flying, sacrificing everything to pay for lessons," said Liz, who operates a mobile snack bar at Northfield.

When he got his licence he would fly over her house tipping his wings but Liz would not fly with him.

One Mother's Day a few years ago she was 'kidnapped', taken to an airfield and bundled into a plane. At the controls was James.

"We took off and I just could not believe it was my son flying the plane.

"He was so grown-up. I was so proud."

Liz, was at home when she heard about the crash on the radio that Sunday.

"James has been flying for years and every time I heard of a plane crash my stomach would turn – but for some reason that day I didn't even think about it.

"Then I got the call to say it was him. We went to the crash scene which was very traumatic as they were still cutting through the wreckage "

A funeral service takes place tomorrow at White Waltham Airfield near James' home in Maidenhead.

Hundreds of mourners are expected and there will be a tribute by fellow pilots flying the poignant 'missing man' formation.

"It will be very moving," said Liz.

"My only comfort is that he died doing what he lived for. He had lived that life to the full."