Senior aircraftman technician

Former enlisted rank of the Royal Air Force

Rank badge of a Royal Air Force senior aircraftman technician
RAF senior aircraftman technician rank badge as it appears on dress uniform

Senior aircraftman technician (SAC Tech or formerly SAC(T)) was a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between senior aircraftman and corporal and having a NATO rank code of OR-2.[1] SAC Technicians were not NCOs and could not administratively discipline other personnel.[2]

The rank, which was self-supervisory, was introduced in 2000 to replace junior technician (although junior technicians promoted before this date retained their rank). The rank badge was a three-bladed propeller inside a circle. The rank was renamed air specialist (class 1) technician (AS1(T)) in the Royal Air Force in July 2022.[3]

From March 2005, SACs in technical trades who had attained the Operational Performance Standard were promoted to SAC technician. This rank was introduced to distinguish airmen who had finished trade specific training, although they still required supervision from a corporal or senior NCO.

Previous use of insignia

The insignia of a 3- or 4-bladed propeller surrounded by a circle was originally used after World War II to identify trade apprentices. It fell out of use after a very short period in service.[citation needed]

See also

  • RAF enlisted ranks

References

  1. ^ "UK Armed Forces Annual Personnel Report" (PDF). gov.uk. 2014. p. 14. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ RAF Ranks
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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 class 2 Warrant officer class 1
Royal Marines Marine Lance corporal Corporal Sergeant Colour sergeant Warrant officer class 2 Warrant officer class 1
British Army Recruit Private Lance corporal Corporal Sergeant Staff sergeant /
Colour sergeant 		Warrant officer class 2 Warrant officer class 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