Master Aircrew

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Arm badge of a Royal Air Force Flight Sergeant

Master Aircrew (MAcr) is the highest non-commissioned rank held by aircrew in the Royal Air Force. It is equivalent to Warrant Officer in other trades. It has a NATO rank code of OR-9.

People holding this rank are actually referred to by different titles depending on their specialisation: Master Signaller (MSig), Master Engineer (MEng), Master Air Electronics Operator (MAEOp) and 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.

[edit] See also

The tri-service badge
Ratings and Other Ranks of the Flag of the United Kingdom British Armed Forces
OR-1 OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5/OR-6 OR-7 OR-8 OR-9
Royal Navy: ORD - AB LH PO CPO WO2 WO1
Royal Marines: MNE LCpl Cpl Sgt CSgt WO2 WO1
Army: Pte Pte LCpl Cpl Sgt SSgt / CSgt WO2 WO1
Royal Air Force: AC LAC - SAC - Jnr Tech Cpl Sgt Chf Tech - FS WO / MAcr