AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MECHANIC (AMM)

Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics (AMM’s) are Avionic and Mechanical Technicians in the making. This is the entry level for Aircraft Technicians in the Royal Air Force. AMM’s are responsible for the day to day handling, flight servicing and general husbandry of the Aircraft. AMM‘s carry out routine tasks on the Typhoon such as tyre inflation, refuelling, engine oil replenishment and canopy cleaning. After approximately 18 months AMM’s return to RAF Cosford to do further technical training. On completion of further training AMM’s become Avionic or Mechanical Technicians.

AVIONIC TRADE

Avionics Technicians are responsible for the complete range of cockpit instrumentation and electronic systems used on Typhoon aircraft, including equipment for radar, defensive aids, communication, navigation, weapon targeting and delivery systems , quadriplex flight control, image and data acquisition systems, electrical power generation and distribution. The Avionics tradesmen maintain and in some cases diagnose faults on all of these systems. Due to the complex nature of the Typhoon avionic suite this is often very demanding but also highly rewarding.

ARMOURER TRADE

Armourer duties include the fitting and removal of role equipment, comprising 1000 litre fuel tanks, RAIDS pods, ASRAAMs, AMRAAMs, LGBs and the gun; they also fit and maintain the ejection seats. Additionally, the weapons system is the responsibility of the Armourer Trade, which involves complex testing and understanding of the system. With Typhoon now declared multi-role capable, the Armourer’s duties are becoming even more important.

MECHANICAL TRADE

Mechanical Technicians are responsible for the mechanical components and structure of the aircraft including the engines, gearboxes, flying control surfaces, landing gear, hydraulics, air conditioning, anti-icing and fuel systems on the Typhoon. The Mechanical tradesmen may also be called upon to perform wheel changes and in extreme cases the removal and fitting of engines. This is also a demanding yet satisfying trade.

Engineering Officers

SQUADRON LEADER RICH GATES grew up in Lincolnshire and joined the Royal Air Force in 1998 after studying Aero-mechanical Systems Engineering at the Royal Military College of Science. He undertook a tour as Junior Engineering Officer (JEngO) on 14 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth, as well as a JEngO tour with the Red Arrows. Outside of work he likes to get out in the hills, either on foot or on his mountain bike.

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT MARK NOYE joined the RAF in 2007 having been sponsored by the RAF to study Aerospace Engineering at University. On completion of Engineering Officer Foundation Training, Mark was posted to RAF Coningsby as OC Survival Equipment Flight. 2010 will be his first season with the Typhoon Display Team. A keen skier and cyclist, Mark also enjoys travelling and all forms of adventurous training.

FLIGHT SERGEANT PAUL MADDOCK Joined the RAF in 1979 and completed a 3 year apprenticeship at RAF Cosford. He has worked on Nimrod, Harrier, Tornado F3 and Typhoon as well as in numerous engineering support areas. Having completed tours in Germany, the Falkland Islands and the UK, Paul joined 29(R) Sqn in Jan 2009. Happy once again to be working on aircraft, his other passion is Ten-Pin Bowling, a sport in which he regularly represents the RAF both in the UK and Europe.

FLIGHT SERGEANT STEVE ANGEL joined the Royal Air Force in 1984 and completed a 3 year apprenticeship at RAF Cosford. He has worked in a number of different environments covering Tornado, Sentry and Typhoon aircraft. Steve also worked in the Typhoon Support Centre before joining 29(R) Sqn in June 2009. Steve is married with 2 children; a son aged 19 and a daughter who is 8. Outside of work he is the assistant manager of Sleaford Town FC reserve team.

Groundcrew

Team A

SERGEANT LIAM WHELAN joined the RAF in October 1990 and on completion of his training was posted to RAF Honington on Tornado GR1’s. He has also served at RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Cosford, RAF Coltishall and RAF Bruggen. He completed a tour in Basra in 2008 and is now training overseas engineers at RAF Coningsby. This will be his third season with the Typhoon Display Team.

CORPORAL MARK HARBOARD joined RAF in 1997 as an Aircraft Electrician and first toured on Tornado F3’s. Mark served on many overseas detachments and on OP TELIC. He was posted to 29(R) Sqn in 2004 and this will be his sixth season with the Typhoon Display Team. Mark was married to Joanne in 2005 and is a keen skier, scuba diver, cyclist and also an accomplished Golfer with a handicap of 12.

CORPORAL PHILIP RUTTLE joined the RAF in August 1999. After training he was posted to 111(F) Sqn at RAF Leuchars and served on two operations in the Middle East. Phil is currently responsible for the fault diagnosis and rectification of Typhoon mechanical systems. Phil is keen skier and enjoys running. He is married to Kirsty and has three children Connor, Kieron and Hollie.

SENIOR AIRCRAFTSMAN (TECH) LINDSEY CROWLEY joined the RAF in 2001 as a Weapons Technician. Her first posting was to RAF Benson followed by 33 Sqn on the Puma where she also deployed on two operational tours of Iraq. Lindsey’s current roles include loading weapons, fitting the Mauser gun system and maintaining the crew escape system on the Typhoon.

SAC ANDY MATTHEWSON joined the Territorial Army as an infantry soldier in 2005 whilst taking part in a modern apprenticeship to become a Mechanical Engineer. He served on OP HERRICK in 2007 and joined the RAF in 2008 as a Mechanical Technician. Andy is also keen in mountaineering and takes part in rock climbing competitions for the station. This will be his first year with the team.

Team B

SERGEANT ‘MACCA’ MACDONALD joined the RAF in 1995 as an Avionics technician. Serving for 10 years on the Tornado GR4 as well as a tour in Germany, he has deployed to Alaska, Canada, Kuwait, Falklands, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain, Corsica & the UAE. Macca has been married to Judy for 17 years and has a 16 year old daughter called Ashley. With a handicap of 6 he was also the RAF Coningsby station golf team Captain for 2 years.

SERGEANT PAUL FOULKES joined the RAF in July 1984. He specialises as a Weapons Technician and has worked on Phantom, Tornado F3, and Hercules. He has served in Germany, the Falkland Islands, Afghanistan and deployed during the Gulf war. Paul enjoys football is the current RAF Coningsby golf captain. He has two children aged 19 and 17; the eldest is of which studying sports and culture at Leeds University.

SAC MATTHEW REDSHAW joined the RAF in 2008 following completion of A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry. After initial trade training he was posted to 29(R) Sqn as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (Mechanical), where he is now enjoying his second season with the team. His interests include snowboarding and riding his motorbike.

CORPORAL TIM RICHARDS joined RAF in Aug 1999 and was posted to 16(R) Sqn, the Jaguar OCU at RAF Coltishall in Jan 2001. Posted to 11 Sqn Typhoon in Jul 2007 and remaining at Coningsby, Tim was promoted to Corporal in Oct 2008 and posted to 29(R) Sqn. Tim is currently responsible for the propulsion, fuel, airframe, hydraulic, landing gear, flying controls and Environmental Control Systems on the Typhoon.

SAC ANDREW COOPER joined the RAF in April 2001. On completion of his Avionic trade training he was posted to 6 Sqn at RAF Coltishall, where he worked on the Jaguar aircraft for 5 years. In June 2007 he joined 29(R) Sqn working on the Typhoon. Andrew likes to keep fit by going to the gym and also plays for 29(R) Sqn’s football and golf team. He is a keen car mechanic and owns his own track car that he races and maintains himself.

Team C

SERGEANT SI HAY joined the RAF in 1989 and completes his twenty first year of service this year. Si was first posted to RAF St. Athan working on Tornado GR1, GR4 and F3 aircraft. He was then posted to RAF Wittering and RAF Cottesmore on 1(F) Squadron working on Harrier GR7, GR7a and GR9s. Si is this years Team C leader as one of the avionic and electrical specialists. This is Si’s second season with the team.

CORPORAL NIC MOORE joined the RAF in 1996. He has served on 11(F) Squadron at RAF Leeming on Tornado F3 and at RAF Leuchars Visiting Aircraft Servicing Flight (VASF). Nic has been on operations in the Falkland Islands and Saudi Arabia as well as on detachments to America, Singapore and Europe. This is Nic’s first season with the team. He spends his spare time with his wife Sarah, son Jack and following Bradford City Football Club.

CPL OWEN WATKINS joined the RAF in 1997 after studying Architecture in Cardiff. During his career he has deployed to over 20 Countries across the world and joined 29(R) Sqn five years ago, where he is now responsible for training overseas groundcrew on the Typhoon. Owen is a weapons specialist on his sixth season with the team. In his spare time Owen enjoys skiing, football and golf and is a devoted Liverpool Football Club supporter.

SAC ROBERT BEAN joined the RAF in November 2000, after training he was posted to 6 Sqn at RAF Coltishall working on Jaguars and moved with them to Coningsby in 2006. Robert has been at 29(R) Sqn for three years and this is his first season on the team. He spends his spare time building and maintaining race bikes. An active member of the RAF Motorsport Association, Robert represents the RAF in the Bemsee Thunderbike national motorcycle championship.