Pilot Officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting Pilot Officer and Officer Cadet. It ranks immediately below Flying Officer

It has a NATO ranking code of OF-1 and is equivalent to a Second Lieutenant in the British Army or the Royal Marines. However, it is considered superior to the nearest equivalent rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

The rank insignia consists of a thin blue band on slightly wider black band. This is worn on both the lower sleeves of the tunic or on the shoulders of the flying suit or the casual uniform.

See also

• Comparative military ranks