Leading aircraftman (LAC) or leading aircraftwoman (LACW) is the second rank in the Royal Air Force, and some other Commonwealth air force.
The rank is a NATO OR-2 rank, which is the same NATO code as senior aircraftman. Leading aircraftman ranks below senior aircraftman. The insignia of a leading aircraftman is a two-bladed propeller, with the propellers being horizontal.
History
The rank orginated from the RAF in 1918, replacing the RFC rank of mechanic first class. Until 1951, it was only a trade. On January 1st, 1951, it became a non-supervisory rank.
Usage
In the RAF, leading aircraftman was a rank accompanied by three other aircraftman ranks, which included aircraftman, senior aircraftman and senior aircraftman (technician)/junior technician.
Leading aircraftman, although being the second lowest rank of the RAF, it is the lowest rank used by airmen in productive duty. This is due to aircraftman being a training rank only. It is also the lowest rank in the RAF to have an insignia.
RAF Ranks
Royal Air Force Other Ranks | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OR-1 | OR-2 | OR-3 | OR-4 | OR-5 | OR-6 | OR-7 | OR-8 | OR-9 | |||
AC | LAC | SAC | SAC(T) / J/T | LCpl | Cpl | — | Sgt | Chf Tech | Flt Sgt | — | WO / MAcr |
Royal Air Force Officer Ranks | |||||||||||
OF(D) | OF-1 | OF-2 | OF-3 | OF-4 | OF-5 | OF-6 | OF-7 | OF-8 | OF-9 | OF-10 | |
OCdt | Plt Off | Fg Off | Flt Lt | Sqn Ldr | Wg Cdr | Gp Capt |
Air Cdre |
AVM | Air Mshl |
Air Chf Mshl |
MRAF |