IN HIS 28 years on earth, Ben Glattstein's feet rarely touched the ground.

Whether he was plunging the depths of the ocean while diving, scaling mountain faces or pursuing his great love, aviation, Benny, as he was known to those close to him, was always on the move.

But the Sydney-born aviator's life ended last week when, flying home alone from California to be best man at a friend's wedding, he crashed in his single-engine aircraft, bringing the adventure that was his life to an end.

''He never said it but I think he loved the freedom, he loved the excitement, and everything that he did he showed that,'' his father, Nathan Glattstein, said yesterday.

The flyer's death has prompted an outpouring of grief among his family and friends here and in the US. But it has also prompted a celebration of a young man who loved life.

Ben grew up with his brother, Dan, and sister, Ruth. He attended Moriah College in Bondi Junction and studied aviation in Bankstown. He left Australia in 2003 for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he became a pilot, flying instructor and enthusiast for aeronautical acrobatics.

His father said he held reservations about his son's career.

''I said to him a number of times maybe he should change profession, but he wouldn't. He said no, that's what he liked doing, that's what he loved doing.''

Last Thursday Glattstein set out in a single-engine Mooney plane alone from Hollister, California, about 100 kilometres south of San Francisco. He was flying to Hawaii, then on to Sydney for a wedding due to be held at the Great Synagogue next week. He had also planned a holiday with family.

But the plane barely made it from the airport, crashing into a field about 6am. Glattstein was found dead at the scene.

In the few short days since, a special Facebook page to mourn his death has already collected more than 100 messages from friends sharing tributes, photos, videos and messages of love.

''Ben, may your final journey have clear skies, tailwinds, and enough adventure so you never get bored,'' wrote one friend.

Another friend said that if his life were written down people would think it a fiction because of all the adventure he had packed in to 28 years: single-man flights across the Atlantic, coming face-to-face with a puma on a mountain-biking adventure, performing feats in air-shows.

He achieved all these things while remaining a close and loving son, uncle, brother and friend to many.

The messages have overwhelmed his family.

''We didn't even know how many friends he had, or what talents he had,'' said his father.

''In all the tributes to him not only did they say that he was a great aviator but also a great friend with a smile that conquered everybody's heart.''