"They did all their training at Ardmore Flying School and moved up through the ranks as instructors," he said.
"They were both very motivated young men. Their careers in the airlines were beginning in the not too distant future. They were both very professional and well liked."
He said both were New Zealanders.
Parkar's brother Khalid Parkar posted on Facebook: "I will always remember him for the great big brother that he was and the good friends we became as we grew up."
His aunt Ann-marie Blair posted:"My very handsome nephew Zakir who we lost yesterday in a plane crash. You are one of our own hunny and we will miss you all the days of our lives. Shock waves have ripped through our family again. Our love and bonds will only grow stronger."
Blair established a business helping people through difficult times after her husband Tony died in a car accident in 2016.
Athletics Auckland said Peter Callagher, aged 27, was a former champion hurdler who competed at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.
At the 2010 Australian championships in Sydney he was sixth in the junior 110m hurdles.
"Peter was a talented athlete especially over the Sprint Hurdles," it said on Facebook.
"He was originally a member of the Howick Athletics Club before moving on to compete for Pakuranga Athletic Club. Peter represented Counties Manukau at the 12/13 and U18 Interprovincials before going to represent Auckland and New Zealand at major Championships."
