The OED (available online if you have a county library ticket) has three entries relevant to "cab-rank" in an aviation context:
1945 Times 1 Mar. 5/7 A ‘cab-rank’ has been maintained over the bridgehead.
1945 Times 6 Mar. 5/6 ‘Cab-rank’ fighter bombers have been overhead continuously.
1946 L. E. O. Charlton "Britain at War IV". 275 R.A.F. Typhoons‥came in time to develop‥the ‘cab rank’ technique. Based on their own special air strips,‥they there awaited a wireless summons.