Career
Educated at Kilburn Grammar School, Beavis joined the Royal Air Force in 1947 and was commissioned two years later. In June 1961 Beavis set the record for the fastest non-stop flight from the United Kingdom to Australia which he established by flying a Vulcan from Royal Air Force Scampton to Royal Australian Air Force Richmond in just over 20 hours. He became Officer Commanding Number.
10 Squadron flying VC10s in 1966 and Group Captain Flying at Royal Air Force Akrotiri in 1968.
He was appointed Assistant Director of Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence in 1971, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Royal Air Force Germany in 1976 and Director General of Royal Air Force Training in 1977. He went on to be Commandant of the Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell in 1980, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Royal Air Force Support Command in 1981 and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Central Europe in 1984 before retiring in 1987.
