Florianópolis Air Force Base
Encyclopedia
Florianópolis Air Force Base – BAFL is a base of the Brazilian Air Force
, located in Florianópolis
, Brazil.
It shares some facilities with Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport
.
created at the present site of the Florianópolis Air Force Base the Center for Air Naval Aviation of Santa Catarina, operating amphibian aircraft.
Between 1927 and 1932, the then known as Campeche Field was also used by the French aviators of the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale
for its operations in Florianópolis. Among them were Jean Mermoz
, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
and Henri Guillaumet
.
The Air Naval base existed until 1941, when the government changed its jurisdiction to the Brazilian Air Force
. It was then that it received its present name.
During World War II the base was dedicated to missions of anti-submarine surveillance in the southern coast of Brazil.
Subordinated to the command of the 2nd Air Force (II FAe), which is dedicated to Search and Rescue, Rotorary Wings, and Maritime Patrol:
The base also has a Cessna 208 Caravan
for administrative functions.
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
, located in Florianópolis
Florianópolis
-Climate:Florianópolis experiences a warm humid subtropical climate, falling just short of a true tropical climate. The seasons of the year are distinct, with a well-defined summer and winter, and characteristic weather for autumn and spring. Frost is infrequent, but occurs occasionally in the winter...
, Brazil.
It shares some facilities with Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport
Hercílio Luz International Airport
Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport , is the airport serving Florianópolis, Brazil. It is named after Hercílio Pedro da Luz , 3 times Governor of Santa Catarina and senator.It is operated by Infraero....
.
History
In 1923 the Brazilian NavyBrazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
created at the present site of the Florianópolis Air Force Base the Center for Air Naval Aviation of Santa Catarina, operating amphibian aircraft.
Between 1927 and 1932, the then known as Campeche Field was also used by the French aviators of the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale
Aéropostale (aviation)
Aéropostale was a pioneering aviation company. It was founded in 1918 in Toulouse, France, as Société des lignes Latécoère, also known as Lignes Aeriennes Latécoère or simply "The Line" .- History :Aéropostale founder Pierre-Georges Latécoère envisioned an air route connecting France to the...
for its operations in Florianópolis. Among them were Jean Mermoz
Jean Mermoz
Jean Mermoz was a French aviator, viewed as a hero by many in both Argentina and his native France, where many schools bear his name...
, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry , officially Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint Exupéry , was a French writer, poet and pioneering aviator. He became a laureate of France's highest literary awards, and in 1939 was the winner of the U.S. National Book Award...
and Henri Guillaumet
Henri Guillaumet
Henri Guillaumet was a French aviator.He was a pioneer of French aviation in the Andes, the South Atlantic and the North Atlantic. He contributed to the opening up of numerous new routes and is regarded by some as the best pilot of his age...
.
The Air Naval base existed until 1941, when the government changed its jurisdiction to the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
. It was then that it received its present name.
During World War II the base was dedicated to missions of anti-submarine surveillance in the southern coast of Brazil.
Units
The following unit is based at Florianópolis Air Force Base:Subordinated to the command of the 2nd Air Force (II FAe), which is dedicated to Search and Rescue, Rotorary Wings, and Maritime Patrol:
- 2nd Squadron of the 7th Aviation Group (2º/7ºGAv), the Phoenix Squadron, using P-95A (Embraer EMB 111 Bandeirante PatrulhaEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
) aircraft for Maritime Patrol Missions.
The base also has a Cessna 208 Caravan
Cessna 208
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers...
for administrative functions.
Accidents and incidents
- June 6, 1949: Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
, a Douglas C-47B-50-DKDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registration FAB-2023 flying from Florianópolis to Canoas Air Force BaseCanoas Air Force BaseCanoas Air Force Base – BACO is a base of the Brazilian Air Force, located in Canoas, Brazil.-History:The history of Canoas Air Force Base begins in 1937, when the 3rd Army Aviation Regiment was transferred from Santa Maria Air Force Base to Canoas. When the Air Force Ministry was created in...
flew into the side of a mountain shortly after take-off and flying into heavy overcast. All 28 passengers and crew died. - December 26, 2002: Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
, an Embraer EMB 110 BandeiranteEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
registration FAB-2292 en route from São Paulo-Campo de MarteCampo de Marte AirportCampo de Marte Airport is the first airport built in São Paulo, Brazil, opened in 1919. It is named after Champ de Mars, in Paris, which in turn got its name from Campus Martius, in Rome....
to Florianópolis Air Force Base, crashed while trying to carry out an emergency landing at Curitiba-Afonso PenaAfonso Pena International AirportAfonso Pena International Airport is the main airport serving Curitiba, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of São José dos Pinhais. It is named after Afonso Augusto Moreira Pena , the 6th President of Brazil....
. Reportedly, both engines had quit. The airplane had taken off with insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight to Florianópolis. Three passengers and crew of the 16 aboard died.
See also
- Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International AirportHercílio Luz International AirportFlorianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport , is the airport serving Florianópolis, Brazil. It is named after Hercílio Pedro da Luz , 3 times Governor of Santa Catarina and senator.It is operated by Infraero....