Pilot's Flying Badge, Service Dress, 1920 Pattern of Plt Off Noel John Victor Benson

This qualification badge, commonly referred to as ‘Wings’, is awarded to individuals who have completed their pilot training and remains the most coveted badge in the Royal Air Force.

While the award of the Pilot’s Badge is a significant point in a pilot’s career, the point at which it has been awarded has varied over the years. It is usually gained at an intermediate stage of flying training but many hours of additional training will lie ahead before they are considered to be an operational pilot. This example belonged to Plt Off Noel John Victor Benson.