PALM BAY, Fla. — Scott Adair, a former local man killed early Monday morning during his first flight in a recently purchased gyrocopter, was an experienced pilot and remembered as a good friend by local police.

Adair was killed when his single-seat vehicle — a light aircraft with an unpowered rotor and an engine for forward propulsion — crashed at Brevard County Airport.

According to the Popular Rotorcraft Association, the planes are generally 14 feet long and 8 feet tall and are built from a kit; however, officials said Adair purchased his aircraft.

As a motor-driven propeller moves the craft forward, air rushing beneath the unpowered rotor blades provides lift.

County Spokesman Don Walker said the aircraft crashed into a parked plane before it hit the ground on the north side of the airport. No one was in the second aircraft.

Other pilots at the airport worked to cut Adair from the wreckage, but he died at the scene.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the wreck. The FAA and NTSB were called to the scene.

“It’s a small airport,” he said. “Pretty much every pilot knows every other pilot. It’s a somber atmosphere this morning.”

Adair had been trained to fly gyrocopters, but today’s was believed to be his first flight, Walker said.

Adair, who lived in Palm Bay, is survived by his wife and two children.

“He was so proud of his kids and spoke about them often,” said Palm Bay Police Capt. Mark Renkens, a personal friend of Adair. “Scott positively impacted many lives and he will be missed. I ask that God be with Scott’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

During an emotional press conference outside the Palm Bay Police Department this afternoon, Renkens remembered Adair as the man who introduced him to powered paragliding six years ago.

“We’ve been flying together ever since,” he said, trying to keep his composure. In 2008, Renkens, Adair and a now-retired police lieutenant formed the award-winning SOAR unit. SOAR stands for search operations aerial response.

“The program garnered national media attention as nothing like this has ever been done before,” Renkens said. Adair trained two police pilots — donating his time — to use the unconventional aircraft and powered paragliders for law enforcement purposes. He also chaired the Palm Bat Para Fly-In, an event held for the second time in March.

The Fly-Ins brought in more than $12,000 in donations for the Palm Bay Police Athletic League.