Air Force of Costa Rica
Encyclopedia
There is officially no Air Force of Costa Rica, the only air wing in existence is attached to the Ministry of Public Security. Currently this unit, officially called Air Surveillance Service, does not operate armed military aircraft. The main air bases are located in three different points, San José
(Base 2) being the main operations center. The aircraft and helicopters used by this unit include a few Cessna 210
, 206, Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
, Piper PA-34 Seneca
and Hughes 500
(369E). More recently, partly due to a joint agreement with the U.S., there have been successful operations on the war against drug trafficking mainly occurring in the coastal areas and at sea. Rescue operations, medical evacs and VIP transport services are part of daily missions. The prefix for most aircraft is MSP followed by a serial number.
As a result of the many operations against drug traficking, a number of new aircraft has been added to the asset list by means of confiscation. The U.S. has also donated aircraft, equipment and logistic support.
According to a new bill yet to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, the new designation for this police air wing would be Policia de Vigilancia Aérea (Air Surveillance Police).
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Cessna 210
|
United States
| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| 206
| United States
| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
| United States
| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Piper PA-34 Seneca
| United States
| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Hughes 500
| United States
| Light attack helicopter
|
| ?
|
|-----
| DHC-4 Caribou
|
Canada
| Cargo aircraft
|
| 1
|
|-----
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
(Base 2) being the main operations center. The aircraft and helicopters used by this unit include a few Cessna 210
Cessna 210
The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
, 206, Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
-See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, ISBN 0-354-00538-3.-External links:*...
, Piper PA-34 Seneca
Piper PA-34 Seneca
The Piper PA-34 Seneca is an American twin-engined light aircraft, produced by Piper Aircraft since 1971 and still in production in 2011.The Seneca is primarily used for personal and business flying.-Development:...
and Hughes 500
MD Helicopters MD 500
The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
(369E). More recently, partly due to a joint agreement with the U.S., there have been successful operations on the war against drug trafficking mainly occurring in the coastal areas and at sea. Rescue operations, medical evacs and VIP transport services are part of daily missions. The prefix for most aircraft is MSP followed by a serial number.
As a result of the many operations against drug traficking, a number of new aircraft has been added to the asset list by means of confiscation. The U.S. has also donated aircraft, equipment and logistic support.
According to a new bill yet to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, the new designation for this police air wing would be Policia de Vigilancia Aérea (Air Surveillance Police).
Air Surveillance Service equipment
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Cessna 210
Cessna 210
The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
|
United States| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| 206
|
United States| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne
-See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, ISBN 0-354-00538-3.-External links:*...
|
United States| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Piper PA-34 Seneca
Piper PA-34 Seneca
The Piper PA-34 Seneca is an American twin-engined light aircraft, produced by Piper Aircraft since 1971 and still in production in 2011.The Seneca is primarily used for personal and business flying.-Development:...
|
United States| Light transport aircraft
|
| ?
|
|-----
| Hughes 500
MD Helicopters MD 500
The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
|
United States| Light attack helicopter
|
| ?
|
|-----
| DHC-4 Caribou
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
|
Canada| Cargo aircraft
|
| 1
|
|-----