Aviator badge
Qualification badge to recognize aviation personnel
title: "Aviator badge" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["military-awards-and-decorations-of-nazi-germany", "military-aviation", "military-specialty-insignia", "aviation-wear"] description: "Qualification badge to recognize aviation personnel" topic_path: "geography/germany" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviator_badge" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Qualification badge to recognize aviation personnel ::
An aviator badge is an insignia used in most of the world's militaries to designate those who have received training and qualification in military aviation. Also known as a pilot's badge, or pilot wings, the aviator badge was first conceived to recognize the training that military aviators receive, as well as provide a means to outwardly differentiate between military pilots and the “foot soldiers” of the regular ground forces.
Austria-Hungary
Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops started wearing gilded silver and enameled badges in 1913. The badges style changed after the death of Franz Joseph I of Austria. In 1917 a new badge was created.
File:Voorschrift voor het Feldpilotenabzeichen Oostenrijk-Hongarije 1913.gif|Official publication of the Austrian Government in the K. und K. Normalverordnungsblatt Number 2/1913 File:Veldpilotenonderscheiding van 1913 en van 1917 Oostenrijk-Hongarije in het Verordnungsblatt für das k. und k. Heer.gif|Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops Badge, 1913 and 1917 File:AU zrakoplovstvo.jpg|Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops Observers Badge, 1917
Belgium
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Belgian_Air_Component_wings.svg" caption="Wing/Badge/Brevet of Belgian Air Force Pilot"] ::
The current aviator badge of the Belgian Air Force depicting the Leo Belgicus and surmounted the Royal Crown of Belgium.
Bangladesh
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Bangladesh_Air_Force_(BAF)_Aviator_Badge.png" caption="Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Aviator Badge"] ::
Aviator badge of the Bangladesh Air Force
The Aviator Badge of Bangladesh Air Force closely resembles the pilots flying badge of The Royal Air Force. Though the badge has a touch of its own characteristics.
Canada
The Pilot Flying Badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force is: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Rcaf_Flight_wings.png" caption="Pilot Flying Badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force"] ::
China
The emblem of the People's Liberation Army Air Force is: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Emblem_of_People's_Liberation_Army_Air_Force.svg" caption="Emblem of Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force since 2007"] ::
Denmark
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Royal_Danish_Air_Force_wings.svg" caption="Wing/Badge/Brevet of Royal Danish Air Force Pilot"] ::
The aviator badge of the Royal Danish Air Force is based on the national coat of arms of Denmark.
Iran
The Pilot Flying Badge of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force is: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/IRI_Army_Aviation_Pilot_Wing.svg" caption="Emblem of [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force"] ::
France
The aviator badges of the French Air Force/Armée de l'air française and French Navy/Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale are:
File:Badge pilote 12279.JPG|Pilot's Badge File:Badge observateur 12282.JPG | Observer's Badge File:Navigateur-Air-qualif.jpg |Navigator's Badge File:Méanicien-air-qualif.jpg | Flight Doctor's Badge File:Brevet ICVAA.png |Air Force Flight Nurse File:Brevet-de-convoyeuse.jpg|Air Force Patient Pilot File:Para-armée-air-qualif.jpg |Parachutist Badge File:Commando-air-béret.jpg|Air Force Commando's Badge
File:Pilote-aéronavale-qualif.jpg |Naval Pilot's Badge
Germany
1913-1920
Several badges were donated to German aircrew prior, during or after the First World War. The most notable were:
File:Marineflugzeugführerabzeichen von Seeflugzeugen II.jpg|badge for navy pilots from seaplanes 1913 File:Militär Beobachterabzeichen 1914.jpg|badge for observation officers from airplanes 1914
The Military Pilot Badge was donated on January 27, 1913 by Emperor Wilhelm II. It could be awarded to officers, NCOs and crews who, after completing the two required tests for pilots and after completing their training at a military air base, acquired the certificate as a military pilot issued by the military air and land transportation inspection (Inspektion des Militär-Luft- und Kraft-Fahrtwesens). A similar badge for military pilots was donated on 4 February 1913 by Prince Ludwig from Bavaria.
The badge for navy pilots on seaplanes (Abzeichen für Marine Flugzeugführer auf Seeflugzeugen) was donated on 31 May 1913 by King and Emperor Wilhelm II, for all officers and soldiers, who successfully completed the training on a naval aircraft station and thus received a certificate of qualification as a naval pilot.
The badge for navy pilots on land planes (Abzeichen für Marine Flugzeugführer auf Landflugzeugen) was donated on 23 February 1915 by emperor Wilhelm II for pilots of the Navy, who completed their service in the war on land planes.
The badge for observation officers from airplanes (Abzeichen für Beobachtungsoffiziere aus Flugzeugen) was donated on January 27, 1914 by emperor Wilhelm II. Prerequisites for the award were: 1. a distance traveled of at least 1000 km in an aircraft, 2. a successfully completed technical assistance examination on an aircraft, 3. pass of at least one retake, 4. accomplished exploration missions, and 5. a certification as an observation officer. A similar badge was donated by King Ludwig III. on 3 March 1914 for the Bavarian army.
The airgunner badge (Abzeichen Flugzeug-Fliegerschützen) was founded on January 27, 1918 by emperor Wilhelm II. The soldiers had to demonstrate in-depth knowledge in engine construction and operation, in flight training, in map reading, in the tactics of aerial combat, in theory of bombing, and skills in the operation of machine guns on the ground and in aerial combat.
The commemorative badge for airship crews (Erinnerungsabzeichen für Besatzungen der Luftschiffe) was donated in 1920 by Reichswehr Minister Otto Gessler. There were two versions for Army and Navy airships. Upon request, it was awarded to officers, deck officers, NCOs and crews of former airship crews, who during the war had at least one year of activity on front aircraft.
1935-1945
{{lang|de|Luftwaffe}} badges & other awards
::data[format=table]
| Combined Pilots-Observation Badge | Pilot's Badge | Observer Badge | Glider Pilot Badge | Radio Operator Badge & Air Gunner Badge | Flyer's Commemorative Badge | Aircrew Badge | Luftwaffe Flying Clasps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:FFundBeob.JPG | 90px | center]] | [[File:Flugzeugführerabzeichen.jpg | 90px | center]] | [[File:Luftwaffe_Navigator.png | 90px |
| [[File:Segelflugzeugführerabzeichen_II.jpg | 90px | center]] | [[File:Fliegerschützenabzeichen.png | 90px | center]] | [[File:Fliegererinnerungsabzeichen.jpg | 90px |
| [[File:Fliegerschaftsabzeichen.jpg | 90px | center]] | [[File:Seekampfabzeichen.jpg | 90px | center]] | [[File:Frontflugspange.jpg | 100px |
| :: |
The Pilotenabzeichen (Pilot's Badge) of the former Luftwaffe had been instituted by Hermann Göring on 12 August 1935. It came in distinct types; nickel silver (changed to zinc during the war) and a variant made of gold. It depicts a silver eagle perched atop a swastika, wings open in a landing pose, and surrounded by a wreath with laurel on the right side and oak branches on the left side, respectively. It was worn in the center of the left breast pocket of the service tunic, underneath the Iron Cross 1st Class if awarded. The badge was awarded after one completed flight training and the flying licence and citation were received.
After 1955
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Militaerluftfahrzeugfuehrer_Bundeswehr.jpg" caption="German Aviation Badge in Bronze"] ::
In the Bundeswehr the aviation badge (Tätigkeitsabzeichen Militärluftfahrzeugführer) comes in three grades: bronze (Standard Pilot), silver (Senior Pilot) after 1200 flight hours and gold (Command Pilot) after 1800 flight hours. It depicts the Bundesadler surrounded by an oak leaf wreath between two wings. It is worn above the right breast pocket. A total of two Tätigkeitsabzeichen may be worn, one of which can be foreign in which case the foreign one would be worn below the German one.
Hungary
1938-1945
Pilots and navigators of the Royal Hungarian Air Force wore their aviator rating badge sewn on their uniforms right breast above the pocketflap. The Observers Badge was the same, except without the Holy Crown of Hungary. A smaller version of the pilot's badge which was worn on the lower left sleeve of the overcoat - observers also worn a small insignia without the crown on their sleeve. During World War II a gilded bronze pilot and observer badge was also introduced.
After 1990
After the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Hungary a new Hungarian Air Force was created. It took on the traditions of the Royal Hungarian Air Force. There are 4 classes of pilots badges. Gold laurel 1st class aviator; 1st class aviator, 2nd class aviator, and 3rd class aviator. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Aranykoszorús_Pilóta_jelvény.jpg" caption="Gold laurel 1st class pilot badge"] ::
Israel
The current aviator badges ("wings") in the Israel Air Force is:
File:IAF Silver pilot wings - silver shield.png|Current badge "wings" of an Israeli Air Force pilot, weapon systems officer, navigator and flight engineer File:Aircrew-mechanic metal wings 7cmBigCenter IAF.png|Air Crew chief's Badge File:Loadmaster7cmBigCenter IAF.png|Loadmaster's Badge File:Wings 7cm flight-medic IAF.png|Flight Doctor's and Flight Combat medic's Badge (two versions) File:Early-Warning-Control Operator from 2005.png|AEW&C Operator's Badge File:Twin wings metal IAF Flight test engineer.png|Flight test engineer's Badge File:Elect-warfare operator 7cmBigCenter IAF.png|EW operator's Badge File:Twin wings metal IAF Air Signaller.png|Air Signaller's Badge File:Air observer Common IntelligenceCorps IAF.png|Air observer's Badge
Namibia
The aviator badge of the Namibian Air Force is ...
The Netherlands
The aviator badge of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Navy is ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Pilot_Wings_Royal_Netherlands_Airforce.png" caption="Wing/Badge/Brevet of Royal Netherlands Air Force Pilot"] ::
Pakistan
The Aviator Badge of the Pakistan Air Force is: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/PAF_GDP_Blue.png" caption="Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Aviator Badge"] ::
Poland
Romania
1912–1931
The first military aviator badge of Romania was approved by the Ministry of War in 1912, following the establishment of the first pilot school in Cotroceni. It featured a silver miniature of a Blériot XI worn by pilots and observers on the collar of their tunics. In 1915, after the formation of the Romanian Air Corps, new pilot and observer badges were introduced. The pilot badges featured a silver plated royal eagle holding a bomb in its claws and the royal cypher of King Ferdinand I on its chest. Officers wore the metal badges on the left side of the chest while non-commissioned officers wore a silk badge sewn on the left sleeve. From 1919, NCOs were allowed to wear the same badges as the officers. After the death of King Ferdinand, the badge used the cypher of King Michael I until 1931, when King Carol II introduced new badges.
File:Romanian military aviator badge 1912.png|Model 1912 aviator badge File:Romanian WW1 Pilot badge.png|Model 1915 Romanian pilot badge File:Insigna de pilot militar Carol II.jpg|Model 1931 Romanian pilot badge
1941–present
At the initiative of General Iosif Iacobici and Air squadron general Gheorghe Jienescu, the military pilot badges, named "war pilot badges", returned to the World War I aspect in 1941 with the difference being the replacement of the royal cypher with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Romania. After the abdication of King Michael in 1947, the aviator badges were replaced following the Soviet model. During the communist regime, training levels achieved by the pilots were introduced. These levels, classes 1–3, were displayed on the badges in Arabic numerals. In 1977, an initiative launched by some aviators, with support received from Nicu Ceaușescu, youngest child of Nicolae Ceaușescu, brought back the old-style pilot badges. The new badges copied the model 1941 ones, with the coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania shown instead. After 1989, the decision was taken to issue new badges with the center coat of arms replaced by the Romanian cockade due to the lack of a new heraldic emblem. The present Romanian Air Force pilot badges were adopted in 1996.
File:Insigna de observator aerian de război.jpg|Model 1941 observer badge File:Air Force Marshal Badge - King Michael I of Romania.jpg|Model 1941 pilot badge File:Romanian Air Force pilot badge.svg|Current pilot badge, 1st class
South Africa
The current aviator badge of the South African Air Force has been in use since 2002, when South Africa adopted a new coat of arms. Like the RAF, the SAAF also has a half-wing version of the badge, in this case for navigators. The aviator and navigator badges comes in three grades: bronze, silver and gold. Reserve force aviator badges have a light blue inlay around the coat of arms as appose to the dark blue of permanent air force aviators.
Spain
| direction = horizontal | align = center | width = 200 | image1 = Emblem of the Spanish Air Force Pilots.svg | alt1 = Air and Space Force Pilot | caption1 = Air Force Pilot | image2 = Badge of the FAMET.svg | alt2 = Army Aviator | caption2 = Army Aviator | image3 = Badge of Spanish Navy Air Arm.svg | alt3 = Naval Aviator | caption3 = Naval Aviator | direction = horizontal | align = center | width = 200 | image1 = Emblem of the Guardia Civil's Air Service.svg | alt1 = Naval Aviator | caption1 = Guardia Civil Aviator | image2 = Emblem of the Pilots of the Spanish Spanish National Police.svg | alt2 = Naval Aviator | caption2 = National Police Corps Aviator
Turkey
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/TuAF_Aviation_Badge.png" caption="[[Turkish Air Force]] aviator"] ::
United Kingdom
Main article: Aircrew brevet
The current aviator badge of the Royal Air Force has been in use since the Second World War. The badge consists of a winged crown and wreath, beneath which are the letters "RAF". The Royal Air Force also uses a "half wing" version to denote Weapon System Officers (WSOs) and Weapon System Operators (WSOps) as well as various airborne roles such as Airborne Technician. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/RAF_pilot_brevet_(Queen's_Crown).jpg" caption="Royal Air Force Pilot Flying Badge"] ::
United States
A Military Aviator badge existed from 1912-17 before being replaced by the predecessor of the "wings" badge.
Notes
References
References
- "Bangladesh Air Force".
- André Hüsken. (2001). "Katalog der Orden, Ehrenzeichen und Auszeichnungen des Kurfürstentums Brandenburg, der Markgrafschaften Brandenburg-Ansbach und Brandenburg-Bayreuth, des Königreiches Preußen, der Republik Preußen unter Berücksichtigung des Deutschen Reiches / 3, Ehrenzeichen, Auszeichnungen und Ehrengaben 1888-1935.". Hauschild.
- ZDv 37/10 ''Anzugordnung für die Bundeswehr''
- "Shaw Communications".
- Valeriu Avram. (2013). "Din Istoria Aripilor Românești 1910-1916".
- "Insigne din Aeronautica Română".
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