The 60-year-old owner of Hempel's Aviation took off in his Russian-built Yak-52 from Brisbane's Archerfield airport on Sunday, with a male passenger on board.

The aircraft crashed into the sea off South Stradbroke Island, while performing aerobatics.

Over a period of 40 years, Mr Hempel probably trained more bush pilots currently flying in Queensland than any other person.

He had run his flying school and charter operations since 1978, logging more than 29,000 hours in a vast range of propeller and jet-driven aircraft. He won many flying competitions, including the Queensland and Australian Aerobatic Championships.

No funeral arrangements had been announced by the time Queensland Country Life went to press; however, details will be posted under the 'news' category of the website http://www.hempelsaviation in coming days.