Well,
Corporal Clott , the certificate in my first logbook reads:
'This is to CERTIFY that in accordance with QR and ACI paragraph J727, Flying Officer (BEagle) is qualified to wear the Royal Air Force Flying Badge with effect from 16 Aug 74'. It was signed by the Chief Flying Instructor of the Royal Air College.
By the way, the Brevet de Base and the Brevet du pilot planeur are both now issued as a Modular LAPL.
Nut Loose, as you've never qualified as a military pilot, it's hardly surprising that you don't understand the emotions behind people's outrage at the wearing of the RAF Flying Badge by those not entitled.
The sewing of the badge on the NATO pullover actually started as a joke in 1977 or thereabouts. The Pilot Leader on 617 Sqn at Scampton had a wicked sense of humour and suggested it to some air wheel, who took him seriously and so we ended up with the absurdity of the cloth moth on a woolly pully.
Not as good a spoof as the infamous 'Sweater cashmere with moleskin facings' alternative Officers' No.5 mess kit which appeared in 1980-ish thanks to some wag on 115 Sqn who had amended various tailors' price lists in the OM at the aerodromes where they were flying calibration trips. Quite a few folk were taken in as the amendments were really rather authentic!