Master aircrew

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Master aircrew
UK-Air-OR9A.svg
A master aircrew's rank insignia
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Service branchEnsign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force
AbbreviationMAcr
Rank group Warrant officer
NATO rank code OR-9
Formation1 July 1946
Next lower rank Flight sergeant aircrew
Equivalent ranks Warrant officer 1
RAF master aircrew as it appears on dress uniform RAF-Master Aircrew-OR-9.png
RAF master aircrew as it appears on dress uniform

Master aircrew (MAcr) is the warrant-officer rank held by aircrew in the Royal Air Force. It is equivalent to warrant officer in other trades, and is effectively the highest non-commissioned aircrew rank. It has a NATO rank code of OR-9.

Contents

People holding this rank used to be referred to by different titles depending on their specialisation:

This rank is the sole survivor of a system of separate ranks for aircrew which existed between 1 July 1946 and 1950 (another system for technical staff existed between 1950 and 1964). Other designations, such as master pilot and master navigator, once existed, but now these specialisations are only held by officers.

The badge of rank is a small version of the Royal Arms (as worn by a warrant officer) with an eagle below, all surrounded by a wreath. Master aircrew receive a warrant signed by the Secretary of State for Defence.

New Zealand

The Royal New Zealand Air Force used the rank until June 2007 when the Master Aircrew rank reverted to Warrant Officer. [1]

See also

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References

  1. "Royal New Zealand Air Force".