Aircraftman: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Lowest rank in the British Royal Air Force}} |
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{{use British English|date=August 2017}} |
{{use British English|date=August 2017}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} |
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{{Military ranks | state=expanded}} |
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}} |
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'''Aircraftman''' ('''AC''') or '''aircraftwoman''' ('''ACW''')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |title=RAF Distinguishing Insignia |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307205523/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=dead }} |
'''Aircraftman''' ('''AC''') or '''aircraftwoman''' ('''ACW''')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |title=RAF Distinguishing Insignia |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307205523/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>The spellings "aircraftsman" and "aircraftswoman", despite being occasionally seen even in official documents, are incorrect in any air force.</ref> was formerly the lowest rank in the British [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and is still in use by the air forces of several other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries. In RAF slang, aircraftmen were sometimes called "erks".<ref>{{Cite OED|erk|id=64038}}</ref> |
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Aircraftman |
Aircraftman ranked below [[leading aircraftman]] and has a [[NATO]] rank code of OR-1. For some time in the RAF it had been a training rank only and no airmen in productive service held the rank. Aircraftmen do not wear any rank insignia. The rank was renamed '''air recruit''' ('''AR''') in the Royal Air Force in July 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Junior Ranks Revolution|series=RAF News|issue=1540|date=2022-07-15|url=https://issuu.com/rafnews/docs/raf_news_15_july_edition_1540}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The rank was introduced to the RAF in January 1919, replacing the [[RAF other ranks| |
The rank was introduced to the RAF in January 1919, replacing the [[RAF other ranks|ranks]] of "air mechanic", "private" and "clerk" that had been introduced under Air Memorandum No. 1 in March 1918. There were three grades: leading aircraftman (LAC), aircraftman 1st class (AC1) and aircraftman 2nd class. A similar grading existed for junior ratings in the Royal Navy.<ref name=PBenyon>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Uniform/Rates_1918.html |title=Royal Navy Branches, Ranks and Ratings, 1918 |last=Perkins |first=Dave |website=www.pbenyon.plus.com |access-date=14 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152332/http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Uniform/Rates_1918.html |
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|archive-date= 24 January 2019 |
|archive-date= 24 January 2019 |
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|url-status=dead }}</ref> The rank of [[senior aircraftman]] (SAC) was introduced on 1 January 1951. |
|url-status=dead }}</ref> The rank of [[senior aircraftman]] (SAC) was introduced on 1 January 1951. |
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The lowest grade was an AC2; also colloquially known as an "AC plonk".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Partridge|first1=Eric|title=A dictionary of slang and unconventional English : colloquialisms and catch phrases, fossilised jokes and puns, general nicknames, vulgarisms and such Americanisms as have been naturalised|date=2000|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=0-415-06568-2|page=1|edition=8}}</ref> With effect from 1 April 1964, the |
The lowest grade was an AC2; also colloquially known as an "AC plonk".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Partridge|first1=Eric|title=A dictionary of slang and unconventional English : colloquialisms and catch phrases, fossilised jokes and puns, general nicknames, vulgarisms and such Americanisms as have been naturalised|date=2000|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=0-415-06568-2|page=1|edition=8}}</ref> With effect from 1 April 1964, the gradings of AC1 and AC2 were abolished, with "aircraftman" becoming the entry rank.<ref name="Jefford_2014">{{cite book|last1=Jefford |first1=C.G. |title=Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF |year=2010 |page=285 |publisher=Grub Street |location=London |isbn=978-1-909808-02-7 |quote=Air Ministry Order A.80/1963 of 6 March 1963 replaced the AC1 and AC2 with just 'Aircraftman' with effect from 1 April 1964}}</ref> |
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==Australia== |
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==Royal Canadian Air Force== |
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| ⚫ | The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] also uses both aircraftman and aircraftwoman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Force Ranks – Royal Australian Air Force|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/About-us/About-the-RAAF/Air-Force-Ranks/?RAAF-ds28ntGZ3Zf5LVCVNMNlzxkNss9skbgX|website=www.airforce.gov.au|access-date=2 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]], the rank is also known by the French term of ''aviateur''. This was changed from [[Private (rank)|private]] in spring 2015 when the RCAF changed the colour of its rank insignia from gold to pearl grey. It is the lowest rank in the RCAF. Prior to 1968 the rank of aircraftman was used in the RCAF as in other Commonwealth air forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Return to the Royal Canadian |
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==Bangladesh== |
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==Royal Australian Air Force== |
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The rank is used in the [[Bangladesh Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baf.mil.bd/website/rank.php |title=BAF RANKS |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2020 |website=Bangladesh Air Force Website |publisher=BAF Communication Unit |access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] also uses both aircraftman and aircraftwoman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Force Ranks – Royal Australian Air Force|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/About-us/About-the-RAAF/Air-Force-Ranks/?RAAF-ds28ntGZ3Zf5LVCVNMNlzxkNss9skbgX|website=www.airforce.gov.au| |
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==Canada== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | In the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]], the rank is also known by the French term of ''aviateur''. This was changed from [[Private (rank)|private]] in spring 2015 when the RCAF changed the colour of its rank insignia from gold to pearl grey. It is the lowest rank in the RCAF. Prior to 1968 the rank of aircraftman was used in the RCAF as in other Commonwealth air forces.<ref>{{cite web |date=2014 |title=A Return to the Royal Canadian Air Force Ranks; a Historical Examination |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/assets/AIRFORCE_Internet/docs/en/cf-aerospace-warfare-centre/elibrary/journal/2014-vol3-iss1-03-a-return-to-royal-canadian-air-force-ranks-a-historical-examination.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121151152/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/assets/AIRFORCE_Internet/docs/en/cf-aerospace-warfare-centre/elibrary/journal/2014-vol3-iss1-03-a-return-to-royal-canadian-air-force-ranks-a-historical-examination.pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=2 August 2017 |website=rcaf-arc.forces |page=12}}</ref> In August 2020, the rank was changed to aviator.{{cn|date=July 2022}} |
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Thee [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]] has four aircraftman ranks: |
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==Malaysia== |
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| ⚫ | |||
* Leading aircraftman (laskar udara kanan) |
* Leading aircraftman (laskar udara kanan) |
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* Aircraftman recruit (perajurit muda) |
* Aircraftman recruit (perajurit muda) |
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==New Zealand== |
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In the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]], the rank is known as "aircraftman", regardless of the person's sex, in line with "seaman" in the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=RNZAF – |
In the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]], the rank is known as "aircraftman", regardless of the person's sex, in line with "seaman" in the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=RNZAF – RNZAF Ranks|url=http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/who-we-are/rnzaf-ranks.htm|website=www.airforce.mil.nz|access-date=2 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> |
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In 2023 the RNZAF adopted the title of ‘aviator(s)’ rather than airman when describing Air Force personnel. |
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==Zimbabwe== |
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The rank is used in the [[Air Force of Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |title=RANKS AND BADGES IN THE AFZ |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2020 |website=Air Force of Zimbabwe Website |publisher=Air Force of Zimbabwe |access-date=13 December 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134525/http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Latest revision as of 22:57, 3 September 2024
Aircraftman (AC) or aircraftwoman (ACW)[1][2] was formerly the lowest rank in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and is still in use by the air forces of several other Commonwealth countries. In RAF slang, aircraftmen were sometimes called "erks".[3]
Aircraftman ranked below leading aircraftman and has a NATO rank code of OR-1. For some time in the RAF it had been a training rank only and no airmen in productive service held the rank. Aircraftmen do not wear any rank insignia. The rank was renamed air recruit (AR) in the Royal Air Force in July 2022.[4]
History
[edit]The rank was introduced to the RAF in January 1919, replacing the ranks of "air mechanic", "private" and "clerk" that had been introduced under Air Memorandum No. 1 in March 1918. There were three grades: leading aircraftman (LAC), aircraftman 1st class (AC1) and aircraftman 2nd class. A similar grading existed for junior ratings in the Royal Navy.[5] The rank of senior aircraftman (SAC) was introduced on 1 January 1951.
The lowest grade was an AC2; also colloquially known as an "AC plonk".[6] With effect from 1 April 1964, the gradings of AC1 and AC2 were abolished, with "aircraftman" becoming the entry rank.[7]
Australia
[edit]The Royal Australian Air Force also uses both aircraftman and aircraftwoman.[8]
Bangladesh
[edit]The rank is used in the Bangladesh Air Force.[9]
Canada
[edit]In the Royal Canadian Air Force, the rank is also known by the French term of aviateur. This was changed from private in spring 2015 when the RCAF changed the colour of its rank insignia from gold to pearl grey. It is the lowest rank in the RCAF. Prior to 1968 the rank of aircraftman was used in the RCAF as in other Commonwealth air forces.[10] In August 2020, the rank was changed to aviator.[citation needed]
Malaysia
[edit]The Royal Malaysian Air Force has four aircraftman ranks:
- Leading aircraftman (laskar udara kanan)
- Aircraftman 1st class (laskar udara I)
- Aircraftman 2nd class (laskar udara II)
- Aircraftman recruit (perajurit muda)
New Zealand
[edit]In the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the rank is known as "aircraftman", regardless of the person's sex, in line with "seaman" in the Royal New Zealand Navy.[11]
In 2023 the RNZAF adopted the title of ‘aviator(s)’ rather than airman when describing Air Force personnel.
Zimbabwe
[edit]The rank is used in the Air Force of Zimbabwe.[12]
See also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ^ "RAF Distinguishing Insignia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ The spellings "aircraftsman" and "aircraftswoman", despite being occasionally seen even in official documents, are incorrect in any air force.
- ^ "erk". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ "Junior Ranks Revolution". RAF News. No. 1540. 15 July 2022.
- ^ Perkins, Dave. "Royal Navy Branches, Ranks and Ratings, 1918". www.pbenyon.plus.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ Partridge, Eric (2000). A dictionary of slang and unconventional English : colloquialisms and catch phrases, fossilised jokes and puns, general nicknames, vulgarisms and such Americanisms as have been naturalised (8 ed.). London: Routledge. p. 1. ISBN 0-415-06568-2.
- ^ Jefford, C.G. (2010). Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF. London: Grub Street. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-909808-02-7.
Air Ministry Order A.80/1963 of 6 March 1963 replaced the AC1 and AC2 with just 'Aircraftman' with effect from 1 April 1964
- ^ "Air Force Ranks – Royal Australian Air Force". www.airforce.gov.au. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ "BAF RANKS". Bangladesh Air Force Website. BAF Communication Unit. 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "A Return to the Royal Canadian Air Force Ranks; a Historical Examination" (PDF). rcaf-arc.forces. 2014. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ "RNZAF – RNZAF Ranks". www.airforce.mil.nz. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ "RANKS AND BADGES IN THE AFZ". Air Force of Zimbabwe Website. Air Force of Zimbabwe. 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2020.