Efficient organisation is vital if ten aircraft, support personnel and equipment are to arrive safely and fully prepared at every display venue.

Between them, the Administration and Flight Planning teams create a detailed plan of timings, transit routes, personnel involved and equipment required.

Typically, accommodation and catering facilities will be required for up to 50 personnel and the Team’s aircraft will require fuel and other local assistance arranged well in advance – both at home and overseas.

The Administration team also cover everything from leave passes to careers advice and recording of statistical data – responsibilities which are vital to the efficient running of the squadron.

"I've worked as a Flight Operations Assistant or 'Flight Planner' on RAFAT since January 2007, and it has proven to be one of the most challenging and rewarding postings of my time in the RAF. Along with my more capable (and better looking) colleague Cpl Pete 'PJ' Jones, I'm responsible for a whole host of different tasks, all centred around ensuring that the Red Arrows de-conflict with other air traffic, and vice versa.

We are tasked with informing the outside world of the details of every single RAFAT sortie flown, whether it be a simple transit from A to B, a flypast of a small village fete or a full display at an international air show. We are also in regular contact with UK & foreign embassy staff abroad, to ensure that the Red Arrows have the correct diplomatic clearance for any countries necessary.
We do not travel away with the team during the summer season, but remain at Scampton as the friendly voice on the end of the phone, providing the aircrew with up-to-date weather and NOTAM (navigational warnings) information, wherever in the world they may be.

In addition to these tasks, we also maintain all of the Squadron's
aeronautical documents & provide the pilots with all of the analogue &
digital mapping that is required for display planning & execution.
There's never a dull day in Flight Planning!"

- Cpl Si Evans