The following table lists the heads of the Department (in its various guises) between its formation in 1920 and the creation of the Civil Aviation Authority in 1988.

The actual title of the occupant of this position changed over time.

Position Title	Occupant	Tenure
Controller	Lt Col Horace Clowes Brinsmead	16 Dec 1920 - 23 Jan 1933
Controller	Edgar Charles Johnston	4 May 1933 - 7 April 1936*
Controller-General	Edgar Charles Johnston	7 April 1933 - 9 January 1939
Acting Director-General	Maurice William Mehaffey	12 January 1939 - 2 April 1939
Director-General	Arthur Brownlow Corbett	3 April 1939 - 16 February 1944 (& Acting Director-General until 5 August 1944)
Director-General	Daniel McVey	# 17 February 1944 - 10 June 1944
Director-General	Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams	11 June 1946 - 31 December 1955
Director-General	Sir Donald George Anderson	1 January 1956 - 30 September 1973
Acting Director-General	Charles C Halton	30 September 1973 - 30 November 1973
Secretary, Dept. of Transport	Charles C Halton	5 November 1973 - 7 May 1982 (absorbed Aviation from 1 December 1973)
Secretary, Dept. of Aviation	Colin W Freeland	7 May 1982 - 1 July 1988 (CAA created)

* On 7 April 1936 the office of Controller of Civil Aviation was abolished and the office of Controller-General of Civil Aviation was established. Johnston was promoted the same day.

# McVey was overseas immediately after his appiontment and Corbett stayed on until McVey's return.

Click here to see a list of Ministers

Click here to go to the organisational timeline