Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Forca Aerea Portuguesa |
| English Title: |
| Portuguese Air Force |
| Abbreviation: |
| FAP |
| First Established: |
| 1952 |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Portugal |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
Key Dates
Current Status
The aircraft of the FAP are fully operational.
Future Plans
None known.
Markings
National Insignia
Aircraft Serial Numbers
From 1952 FAP serial numbers comprised a four digit number, the first number indicating the aircraft class, the second the aircraft type and the last two the individual identity – Republic F-84G 5121 being the 21st example of class 5 (fighters) type 1.
In 1993 a revision to the numbering system meant that the prefix ‘1’ was placed in front of the old serial of existing aircraft as each airframe came up for in-depth maintenance.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Avenida Leite Vasconcelos, 27 Alfragide, 2700 Amadora.
Organisational Structure
FAP is divided into three commands:-
COFA – Comando Operacional da Força Aérea (Air Force Operational Command)
CLAFA – Comando Logístico-Administrativo da Força Aérea (Air Force Logistics and Administration Command)
CPESFA – Comando de Pessoal da Força Aérea (Air Force Personnel Command)
COFA is distributed geographically to Base Aéreas (BA, air bases), each of which comprises three Grupos (Groups):-
Operacional (Operational) – flying units & airfield services
Material (Material) – maintenance & supply
Sustentação (Support) – base infrastructure
The basic flying unit is the Esquadra (Squadron).
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air bases currently used are Sintra, Lajes, Monte Real, Montijo, Beja and Ovar. In addition, aircraft are detached from the parent units to another one or two air bases.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases, there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Portguese Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.1 p.146
World Air Power Journal No.24 p.148-157
Air Forces Research Nos.11
Air International April 1996
Air Enthusiast No.73 Jan-Feb 1998
Air Enthusiast No.75 May-Jun 1998
Websites
Aeroflight Pictorial – Portuguese Air Force
wikipedia: Portuguese Air Force
Scramble: Portuguese Air Force
Photos of Portugal Air Force and Navy aircrafts