Presidents

Lord Brabazon of Tara GBE MC PC
1922-1964

John Moore-Brabazon was a founding member and President of the society from 1922 until his death in 1964. His contribution to Aero and British golf was exceptional throughout his life and he was made Captain of the R&A in 1952. He was a pioneer aviator, being the first to be awarded the Aviators Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in 1910, flew with the RFC in WW1 as Lt Col, became an MP in 1918, conferred with a barony in 1942, awarded the GBE in 1953 and was a member of the Privy Council.

Sir Robert Hardingham CMG OBE
1964-1980

Bob Hardingham joined the society in 1951 and was Aero Captain in 1957. His career in aviation initiated with De Havilland Aircraft Co and he became Chief Executive of the Air Registration Board (ARB). Latterly he became President of the Society of Licenced Aircraft Engineers and Technologists.

Donald H Steel
1980-1983

Donald Steel joined the society in 1955 and was Aero Captain in 1966 and 1967 before becoming President in 1983. His connection with aviation is unclear but he worked for Scandinavian Steel Ltd in Henley in 1973.

John B Waite
1984-1995

John Waite joined the society in 1954 and was Aero Captain in 1961. His aviation career embraced D Napier and Sons and Hawker-Siddeley Dynamics.

John MP Rutherford
1996-2011

John Rutherford joined the society in 1975 and was Aero Captain in 1989. His aviation connection is through Shell UK Oil for the provision of aviation fuel and subsequently, he was a member of the grants board of the RAF Benevolent Society.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Patrick Hine GCB GBE FRAeS CIMgt
2011-2022

Paddy Hine Joined the society in 1977 and he initiated his career as a serial winner of every Aero trophy. He was the Aero Captain in 2000 and awarded honorary membership in 2002. His love for golf is legendary and he nearly became a professional in his youth. Of particular note, he won the Brabazon Trophy (a prestigious amateur event) at the age of 17 and it was presented to him in person by Lord Brabazon. In 2010/11, he was honoured by his being made Captain of the R&A. His aviation career began with national service, developed through to being OC 92 Sqn in ’62 (Lightnings), No17 Sqn (Phantoms) and continued with a series of advancements and major prestigious appointments until his retirement from the RAF in 1991. He them became a military adviser to British Aerospace before final retirement in 1999. He was awarded the GCB in 1989 and the GBE in 1991.

Air Vice-Marshal Keith Filbey CBE
2023-

A keen sportsman, Keith joined the Aero Golfing Society in 1994 and was Captain in 2015. He joined the RAF in 1966 at RAF College Cranwell, where he completed his flying training on the Chipmunk and Jet Provost, receiving his wings in 1969. His flying career included tours on the Victor KIA, Nimrod R, Tristar and VC10. He had a variety of staff tours at No 1 Group, HQ Strike Command and the MOD. Command tours included No 216 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton, and Nos 38 and 2 Groups. As an Air Commodore, he was seconded to the Cabinet Office as a Deputy Chief of the Assessments Staff before becoming the Director of Air Operations in the MOD. On promotion to Air Vice-Marshal he joined the Directing Staff at RCDS before becoming an AOC in 2000. He was awarded a CBE in the 1993 Queen’s Birthday Honours. On retirement from the RAF in 2003, he joined the AirTanker consortium, eventually becoming Chairman and Managing Director of AirTanker Services. He retired in 2017.