Leading aircraftman
{{Short description|Junior rank in some air forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2016}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2020}}
Leading aircraftman (LAC) or leading aircraftwoman (LACW){{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |title=RAF Distinguishing Insignia |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307205523/http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F20E8C8_5056_A318_A886F0D8AD19DE17.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/whatweoffer/airmenairwomencareerpaths.cfm RAF website] is an enlisted rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence.
Leading aircraftman is usually immediately senior to aircraftman and immediately below senior aircraftman.
The rank was renamed air specialist (class 2) (AS2) in the Royal Air Force in July 2022.[https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ RAF Ranks]
History
The rank originated in the Royal Air Force, when it was formed in 1918. It replaced the Royal Flying Corps rank of air mechanic 1st class (which wore the same badge). It was only a trade classification until 1 January 1951, when it became a rank, although it is non-supervisory.
Australia
Leading aircraftman is a rank in the Royal Australian Air Force (which uses a single chevron rather than a propeller device) where it is the senior aircraftman rank.{{Cite web|title=Ranks|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/your-air-force/ranks|access-date=2020-10-19|website=Royal Australian Air Force}}
Canada
It was a rank until 1968 in the Royal Canadian Air Force being replaced by the army rank of private after unification, which then in 2015 was replaced by aviator (basic).
New Zealand
In the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the rank is awarded after three years of service or completion of a senior trade course, whichever comes first.
Leading air cadet (LAC) in the New Zealand Air Training Corps also uses the propeller badge. It is not technically a rank (although many units regard it as a very junior NCO rank), and may be awarded to cadets who have attended a minimum of thirty parades, or completed one year in a unit. The rank is generally awarded to those cadets who show obvious leadership skill.
Gallery
File:RAAF E 3(OR3) LAC rank ins.svg|(Royal Australian Air Force){{cite web |title=Ranks
File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|{{lang|bn|লীডিং এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান}}
{{lang|bn-Latn|Līḍiṁ ēẏārakryāphaṭamyāna}}
(Bangladesh Air Force){{cite web |title=Airmen Ranks |url=http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=2 |website=joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210061829/http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=2 |archive-date=10 February 2019}}
File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|(Ghana Air Force){{cite web |title=Rank Structure |url=http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |website=gafonline.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Air Force |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121080703/http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |archive-date=21 January 2018 |date=2018 |url-status=dead}}
File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|{{lang|hi|लीडिंग एयरक्राफ्ट्समैन}}
{{lang|hi-Latn|Leeding eyarakraaphtamain}}
(Indian Air Force){{cite web |title=For Airmen |url=http://careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_airmen.html |website=careerairforce.nic.in |publisher=Indian Air Force |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225124125/http://careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_airmen.html |archive-date=25 February 2012}}
File:01-Namibia Air Force-LAC.svg|(Namibian Air Force){{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99-102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}
File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|(Royal New Zealand Air Force){{cite web |title=Badges of Rank |url=https://nzdfpop.cwp.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Resources/21-Update_Rank-Poster-all-services.pdf |website=nzdf.mil.nz |publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |access-date=28 July 2022}}
File:Pak-air-force-OR-2a.svg|(Pakistan Air Force)
File:British RAF OR-2a.svg|(Sri Lanka Air Force){{cite web |title=Non-Commissioned Ranks |url=http://www.airforce.lk/other_ranks.php |website=airforce.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Air Force |access-date=24 September 2021}}
File:British RAF OR-2b.svg|(Air Force of Zimbabwe){{cite web |title=RANKS AND BADGES IN THE AFZ |url=http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |website=afz.gov.zw |publisher=Air Force of Zimbabwe |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134525/http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |archive-date=9 June 2022}}