Geoffrey Bennett

Geoffrey Bennett entered the Royal Air Force through Cranwell in 1945 and gained his wings. He flew Mosquitos with 204 and 288 squadrons, and later with 1 and 29 squadrons. In 1948 he gained the Theodore Williams scholarship to Oxford University to study medicine. This was followed by residency at the Oxford Hospitals and general practice in Berkshire.

In 1958 he was appointed research medical officer to BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation), where he trained part time as an airline pilot. He eventually flew nearly 8000 hours, ending as a first officer on the DC10. He was a visiting lecturer at Harvard, Oxford, and Cranfield Universities, and a fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association, Faculty of Occupational Medicine, and Royal Aeronautical Society. He was an academician of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine and a consultant to the ILO (International Labour Organization), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), World Health Organization, and British Army. He was reader in aviation medicine at Farnborough.

In 1964 he was appointed chief medical officer to the Ministries of Aviation and Technology, becoming chief medical officer to the newly created Civil Aviation Authority in 1972, the post which he held until he retired in 1991.

Geoffrey is survived by his wife, Hilary, and four children from his two previous marriages.