Master aircrew

RAF Master aircrew badge of rank

Master aircrew
A master aircrew's rank insignia
Country United Kingdom
Service branch Royal Air Force
AbbreviationMAcr
Rank groupWarrant officer
NATO rank codeOR-9
Formation1 July 1946
Next lower rankFlight sergeant aircrew
Equivalent ranksWarrant officer 1
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.

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

  • Master Signaller (MSig)
  • Master Engineer (MEng)
  • Master Air Electronics Operator (MAEOp)
  • Master Air Loadmaster (MALM).

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

  • RAF enlisted ranks

References

  1. ^ "Royal New Zealand Air Force".
  • v
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Ratings and other ranks of the British Armed Forces
   
NATO grade / Service branch OR-1 OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5/OR-6 OR-7 OR-8 OR-9
Royal Navy Recruit Able seaman not applicable Leading rating Petty officer Chief petty officer Warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1
Royal Marines Marine Lance corporal Corporal Sergeant Colour sergeant Warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1
British Army Recruit Private Lance corporal Corporal Sergeant Staff sergeant /
Colour sergeant 		Warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1
Royal Air Force Air recruit Air specialist (class 2)
Air specialist (class 1) /
Air specialist (class 1) technician 		Lance corporal (RAF Regt only) Corporal Sergeant Chief technician /
Flight sergeant 		Warrant officer /
Master aircrew