Tributes for pilot Stephen Gale and cameraman James Rose after mid-air fighter jet collision

Shocked loved ones are grieving the deaths of two men in Sunday’s plane crash off the coast of Mount Martha, as the pilot leaves behind an 18-month-old child.

Pilots Stephen Gale and partner Victoria Lowen have an 18-month-old child.

Stephen Gale and Victoria Lowen were a picture of happiness as they posed in their matching pilot uniforms ­before setting off on a flight.

A little over a year later, Ms Lowen is reeling after her partner’s routine flight over Port Phillip Bay turned to tragedy – and has left their 18-month-old child without a father.

In an “unbelievably tragic” incident, the former military jet Mr Gale was flying plummeted 20m into the water, 12km west of Mount Martha, about 2pm on Sunday.

On board with him was renowned cameraman James Rose, 30, who worked for major networks Channel 7 and Channel 9, and popular TV show MasterChef.

Mr Gale and Ms Lowen in their matching pilot uniforms.

Mr Gale was flying the plane that plummeted into the water.

Cameraman James Rose was also on the plane that crashed into Port Phillip Bay. Picture: cameracrew.com.au

The pair were filming a documentary series to teach people with no experience how to fly when their plane and another S-211 Marchetti aircraft collided in mid-air.

That plane successfully returned to its hangar at Essendon Airport, carrying Qantas pilot Joanne Mein.

But the families of both men are still without answers as the search for their bodies, and any signs of wreckage, enters its third day.

The recollections of Ms Mein and her companion will be crucial for police tasked with determining what caused the collision.

Qantas pilot Joanne Mein was on the plane that returned to its hangar at Essendon Airport.

Ms Mein was in the back seat of the aircraft that landed safely, but it is not yet clear who was flying it.

Both planes are owned by Mr Gale’s company, Jetworks Aviation, which was set up specifically to produce a show called Any Fool Can Fly, for which The Project presenter and comedian Tommy Little enlisted as a student pilot.

Nicknamed “Prof” after he joined the RAAF as an engineer, Mr Gale had flown jets at several shows. He most recently flew the plane believed to be involved in Sunday’s tragedy at the Pacific Airshow, on the Gold Coast, in August.

A series of affectionate photos capture Mr Gale and Ms Lowen embracing each other during several getaways and jetting off on flights together.

Ms Lowen is a highly regarded former Qantas pilot who worked alongside Mr Gale as an instructor to the student pilots at Jetworks Aviation. Mr Gale has been remembered as a passionate and skilled pilot whose death has shocked loved ones and friends.

Astrophysicist Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, who flew with Mr Gale several times, said the incident was “tragic”.

“His passion for formation flying was abundantly clear, and he was keen to teach others (including myself). Thank you, Steve, for these special memories,” she wrote on ­social media.

A Qantas spokesman said the airline was “deeply upset” to learn of the deaths of Mr Gale and Mr Rose.

“The news has shocked the Qantas and Jetstar pilot communities and everyone’s thoughts are with these families,” he said.

Inspector Terry Rowlands said the search had so far failed to locate additional debris after a tyre and part of a wing were discovered on Sunday.

“(It is) unbelievably tragic for the families and all ­involved,” he said.