Mechanical Engineer - Red Arrows
RAF

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Hi. I’m Nat.

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I’m a mechanical engineer on the Royal Air Force aerobatics team, the Red Arrows.

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My day to day job involves looking after the fleet of aircraft

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and 37 personnel

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to make sure the rectification is suitable for the flying programme.

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In school, I studied my GCSEs

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which included maths, English and science.

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I then went on to perform A-levels,

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which were in art, graphics, general studies, and business studies.

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From there, I didn’t really kind of know what I wanted to do,

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I looked at the police.

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They said you need to get life experience.

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So I went and started a job at Lincolnshire County Council,

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working in the offices, delivering post.

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From there, my next step was to join the Royal Air Force.

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So in 2002, that’s when I joined as a mechanical engineer.

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From there, I worked on the Nimrod aircraft.

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Then on to

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Tornado, Typhoon, and now on the Hawks.

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Throughout my career, I’ve always wanted to work on the Red Arrows.

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So from gaining experience on all the multiple aircraft I’ve worked on,

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I finally got given the chance three years ago.

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When I started here it was quite difficult.

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It’s a team that you need to get integrated into.

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It took a while for me, but finally, three years later,

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being given the privileged position of circus lead,

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which entails looking after nine engineers and a photographer

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throughout the season,

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transponders in the back of the aircraft and making sure servicings are carried out

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and the aircraft are safe to perform each display.

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In my job, it’s useful to have skills to possess, such as communication,

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good leadership, being able to listen, guide people when they’re struggling

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help with education

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anything to get people to the end result.

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Our end result is getting the aircraft in the air.

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If I could give advice to my younger self or anyone

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that wanted to join the engineering trade, I’d just say go for it.

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Anyone can do it with the right training and the right attitude.

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You’ll get a great end result and you could end up in a job like this.