In his resignation letter to Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills, he blamed ill health for his decision.

He said a recent bout of poor health had kept him away from the department for several weeks, and a proposed reorganisation of it.

Before joining the department, Mr. Pitman was the British Airways general manager in Bermuda.

Yesterday he said he had enjoyed his 12 years with the department -- a period which saw several major improvements carried out at the Civil Air Terminal.

Mr. Pitman said his departure from the department would allow him to pursue a variety of other interests.

Mr. Herman Tucker will continue as acting director of Civil Aviation.

Mr. James Pitman.