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Portugal and Spain visit 2006

15-05 Visit Beja

Our first visit of the trip was to Beja, Portugal's youngest airbase, commissioned in 1964. From 1980 to 1993, the German Luftwaffe had a permanent detachment for pilot training at Beja with a number of Alpha Jets. Between 1991 and 1993, the FAP received fifty Alpha Jets, all former Luftwaffe aircraft. Even after the Luftwaffe's departure, Beja has remained a true training base. All three stationed squadrons have pilot training as either a primary or secondary task. We where greeted by Sergio Estrela a instructor from 103 Squadron, he recently transited from 101 Squadron. He was our guide for the trip, making everything possible.

Esquadra de Instruçao 101 'Roncos' (Roars) has eighteen TB.30 Epsilons for its task of basic pilot training. The Epsilons were delivered in 1989-1990, replacing the then-forty year old DHC-1 Chipmunks in the primary training role.

Esquadra de Vôo 103 'Caracóis' (Snails) is the EICPAC-unit ('Esquadra de Instrução Complementar de Pilotagem de Aviões de Caça' or 'Advanced Fighter Training Squadron') of the FAP. In the 1970s, EICPAC was stationed at Monte Real airbase with the T-33 and later the T-38. The primary task of Esq 103 is to give future fighter pilots their first fast-jet experience.

Squadron 101 - "Roncos" (Roars)

Squadron 103 - "Caracóis" (Snails)

Squadron 552 - "Zangões" (Drones)

Esquadra de Transporte Táctico 552 'Zangões' (Stingers) operates the Alouette III helicopter, primarily in the training role. Other tasks are Search and Rescue and light transport. The venerable Alouette III is now over forty years in service with the FAP, having accumulated a total of over 300,000 flight hours! Within a few years, the Alouette III will have to be replaced.

The Portuguese Navy helicopter pilots also receive their training with the FAP at Beja. After one hundred hours on the TB.30 and another one hundred hours on the Alouette III, the students transfer to the EsqHel at Montijo, for their conversion to the Lynx helicopter

At the moment there are two show teams at Beja. The Rotores de Portugal with three All-III and the Asas de Portugal flying the Alpha Jet, at the moment they are flying a two ship.

We would like to thank the following persons for their help in arranging the visit; the Public relation office of Portuguese Air Force and Sergio Estrela of 103 Squadron who escorted us during the visit and made sure we saw everything we wanted.