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| Keeping
The Red Arrows in the air is a complex, time-consuming process and this task
falls upon the 85 men and women of the Team’s Engineering Flight known as
“The Blues.” |
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| The
overall responsibility for the management of the Blues falls to the Senior and
Junior Engineering Officers. The Senior Engineering Officer’s role is the
long-term management of The Red Arrows’ fleet of twelve aircraft.
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| The
Junior Engineering Officer ensures that Red 1 has sufficient aircraft to meet
the daily flying task whether that be training in winter or a busy display
week during the summer. |
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| The
Senior Engineering Officer and Junior Engineering Officer are commissioned
engineering officers selected for a two year tour with the Team after which
they leave to other engineering appointments within the RAF. |
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| The
Blues themselves represent a broad cross-section of RAF technical and
non-technical trades. |
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| Although
the Hawk used by the Red Arrows is relatively simple in comparison to one of
the RAF’s current front-line fighters it still requires support from
technicians in the propulsion, airframe, electrical, weapons and avionics
trades. |
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| Technicians
from the survival equipment trade ensure that the pilots’ flying clothing,
helmets and anti-g suits are maintained to the highest standard allowing them
to fly the aircraft in safety. |
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| Although
the Hawk has proven to be a reliable, robust aircraft, there are inevitably
items which need to be replaced and this responsibility falls upon the
Team’s suppliers. |
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| Additionally,
the suppliers make sure that the Team have all the right spares for the many
deployments undertaken through the year and ensure that support crew’s
transport, |
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| whether
it be a Hercules C130 or a flat-bed trailer, are correctly loaded. |
