Rotores de Portugal
Encyclopedia
The Rotores de Portugal (Rotors of Portugal) is a helicopter
flight demonstration team
created in 1976, operated by Esquadra 552 (552 Squadron) of the Portuguese Air Force
out of Beja Air Base, Portugal. They are Portugal
's national helicopter display team and use three Sud Aviation 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 festival
s 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 and integrated with the 552 Squadron, based at Beja Air Base.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
flight demonstration team
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
created in 1976, operated by Esquadra 552 (552 Squadron) of the Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
out of Beja Air Base, Portugal. They are Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
's national helicopter display team and use three Sud Aviation Alouette III
Aérospatiale Alouette III
The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the...
.
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 festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s 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 and integrated with the 552 Squadron, based at Beja Air Base.
Aircraft
| Aircraft | Origin | Squadron | Display Aircraft | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sud Aviation Alouette III Aérospatiale Alouette III The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the... |
France | 33 Squadron | 4 | 1976—1980 |
| 33 Squadron | 2 | 1982—1992 | ||
| 111 Squadron | 4 | 1993—1994 | ||
| 552 Squadron | 2 | 2004—2005 | ||
| 552 Squadron | 3 | 2006—present | ||