The Red Arrows' specialist engineering technicians are drawn from three Royal Air Force trades; Mechanical, Avionics and Weapons.

During the seven-month winter training season, the Red Arrows' fleet of 13 Hawk aircraft is given an extensive overhaul. The aircraft are dismantled, inspected and tested in turn to make sure that any hidden faults or damage are repaired. This is planned carefully so that it does not disrupt the busy flying training schedule.

Preparation of the aircraft begins each day at 0700 hrs, when technicians arrive to prepare the aircraft for their first training sortie of the day. After the end of flying, the night shift carry on working into the early hours of the morning, until they have prepared sufficient aircraft for the following day.

During the summer there are often only a few days between displays, during which all the aircraft must be restored to pristine condition and prepared for the next deployment.