Rotores de Portugal

The Rotores de Portugal (Portuguese for "Rotors of Portugal") is a helicopter flight demonstration team created in 1976, operated by Esquadra 552 (Squadron 552) of the Portuguese Air Force, based in No 11 Air Base, Beja. They are the national helicopter display team of Portugal and use three Sud Aviation Alouette III.

Rotors of Portugal
Rotores de Portugal
Rotores de Portugal
ActiveApril, 1976 to the Present
Country Portugal
Branch Portuguese Air Force
TypeAerobatic team
RoleHelicopter flight demonstration
Size5 Officers
6 Enlisted
Part ofSquadron 552
BaseNo 11 Air Base, Beja, Portugal
Aircraft flown
HelicopterAérospatiale Alouette III

In 1976, the aerobatic team Rotores de Portugal was created by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff (CEMFA) to represent the Portuguese Air Force in several festivals all over the country. The team operated for 18 years while integrated with the 102 Squadron Panchos, and flew a total of 41 demonstrations.

On the fifty-third anniversary of the Air Force, in 2005, the Rotores de Portugal were reactivated as part of the 552 Squadron, based at Beja Air Base.

By that time, a special colourful livery was applied to the helicopters operated by the Rotores de Portugal, which included the national colours and the name of the team. As these helicopters were not exclusively used by the team, it started to be a common sight to see Alouette III sporting the special livery while performing the most varied missions, from search and rescue to airmobile assaults exercises. Even after the suspension of the Rotores de Portugal activity, these helicopters continued to sport their respective livery.

The last performing of the Rotores de Portugal occurred in 2010, with the team being currently inactive. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Air Force initiated the deactivation of their remaining Alouette III helicopters, which are being replaced by a smaller number of AgustaWestland AW119 Koala.[1]

Aircraft, bases and squadrons
Aircraft type Base Squadron Display aircraft Dates
Sud Aviation Alouette III Air Base No 3, Tancos Squadron 33 4 1976–1980
Air Base No 3, Tancos Squadron 102 2 1982–1992
Air Base No 3, Tancos Squadron 111 4 1993–1994
Air Base No 11, Beja Squadron 552 2 2004–2005
Air Base No 11, Beja Squadron 552 3 2006—2010
  • Vigo Air Festival, Spain, 2007
  • Display at Portimão, 2008
  • AeroNostalgia 2008, Sintra
  • Air Expo 2009, Muret, France
  • Red Bull Air Race, Porto, 2009
  • A former Rotores de Portugal helicopter taking off from Beja Air Base, 2015
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References
  1. Walkarounds - Rotores de Portugal

See also
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