Aircraftman
Encyclopedia
Aircraftman or Aircraftwoman (ACW), is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force
and the air force
s of several other Commonwealth
countries.
Aircraftman ranks below Leading Aircraftman
and has a NATO rank code of OR-1. It is presently a training rank only and no airmen in productive service hold this rank. Aircraftman do not wear any rank insignia.
rank of Air Mechanic 2nd Class. There were two grades: Aircraftman 1st Class (AC1) and Aircraftman 2nd Class (AC2; also colloquially known as an "AC plonk").
, the rank is known as "Aircraftsman", regardless of the person's sex, in line with Seaman in the Royal New Zealand Navy
.
er's pronunciation of the abbreviation, "airc".
The spelling "Aircraftsman", despite being seen even in official documents, is incorrect in the RAF.
In the RAF, there are three main ranks of Aircraftmen. Aircraftmen, Leading Aircraftmen and Senior Aircraftmen. An airman/airwoman would start as an Aircraftmen. The three ranks are also known as 'AC' for Aircraftmen, 'LAC' for Leading Aircraftman
, and 'SAC' for Senior Aircraftman
.
Aircraftmen do not have a insignia. When they are promoted, they receive the rank of Leading Aircraftman, and are given an insignia. It is a picture of a two-bladed propeller in a straight line. Once they are Senior Aircaftmen, they receive three propeller blades, all equally spaced apart.
In the Royal Air Force, there is an extra rank given to technicians. It is called Junior Technician
or Senior Aircraftman Technician
. It has either a four-bladed propeller on its insignia, equally spaced, or three blades and a circle.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and the air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
s of several other Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries.
Aircraftman ranks below Leading Aircraftman
Leading Aircraftman
Leading aircraftman Leading aircraftman (LAC) Leading aircraftman (LAC) (or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is a rank in some air forces, between aircraftman and senior aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank badge is a horizontal two-bladed propeller....
and has a NATO rank code of OR-1. It is presently a training rank only and no airmen in productive service hold this rank. Aircraftman do not wear any rank insignia.
History
The rank was introduced on the formation of the RAF in 1918, replacing the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
rank of Air Mechanic 2nd Class. There were two grades: Aircraftman 1st Class (AC1) and Aircraftman 2nd Class (AC2; also colloquially known as an "AC plonk").
Royal New Zealand Air Force
In the Royal New Zealand Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, the rank is known as "Aircraftsman", regardless of the person's sex, in line with Seaman in the Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
.
Royal Air Force
In RAF slang, Aircraftmen are sometimes called "erks". The word "erk" is perhaps a phonetic spelling of an East LondonCockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
er's pronunciation of the abbreviation, "airc".
The spelling "Aircraftsman", despite being seen even in official documents, is incorrect in the RAF.
In the RAF, there are three main ranks of Aircraftmen. Aircraftmen, Leading Aircraftmen and Senior Aircraftmen. An airman/airwoman would start as an Aircraftmen. The three ranks are also known as 'AC' for Aircraftmen, 'LAC' for Leading Aircraftman
Leading Aircraftman
Leading aircraftman Leading aircraftman (LAC) Leading aircraftman (LAC) (or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is a rank in some air forces, between aircraftman and senior aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank badge is a horizontal two-bladed propeller....
, and 'SAC' for Senior Aircraftman
Senior Aircraftman
Senior Aircraftman , or Senior Aircraftwoman , is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between Leading Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman Technician and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. The rank, which is non-supervisory, was introduced on 1 January 1951...
.
Aircraftmen do not have a insignia. When they are promoted, they receive the rank of Leading Aircraftman, and are given an insignia. It is a picture of a two-bladed propeller in a straight line. Once they are Senior Aircaftmen, they receive three propeller blades, all equally spaced apart.
In the Royal Air Force, there is an extra rank given to technicians. It is called Junior Technician
Junior Technician
Junior Technician is a junior non-commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the Pakistan Air Force. In the RAF it ranks equal to Senior Aircraftman Technician , above Senior Aircraftman and below Corporal and has a NATO rank code of OR-2...
or Senior Aircraftman Technician
Senior Aircraftman Technician
Senior aircraftman technician is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between senior aircraftman and corporal and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. It is also subordinate to the Army and RAF Regiment rank of lance corporal, although SACs and junior technicians require a Corporal rank or above to...
. It has either a four-bladed propeller on its insignia, equally spaced, or three blades and a circle.