Once student pilots (SPs) of the Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) have completed the academic part of their training at the PoAF Academy in Sintra Air Base (AB1) and flown in the Chipmunk MK20, they head to Beja Air Base (AB 11) for the final tests that will lead to them becoming fully qualified pilots. On arrival at Beja Air Base, the SPs are assigned to Esquadra (Esq) 101 which is responsible for providing elementary and basic flight training after which, if completed successfully, they will receive their wings. Beja is the home of three squadrons. As well as Esq101 'Roncos' which operate the Epsilon TB-30, there's Esq552 'Zangoes' which fly the AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, and Esq 601 'Lobos' with the Lockheed P-3C Cup+. In the near future the base will receive another squadron that will fly the new Embraer KC-390 Millennium.
展开▼
