Leading Aircraftman

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.