Costa Rican Security Force
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Aircraft Not Used
This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Costa Rican Security Force, and its successors, but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.
Bell 206A JetRanger
Two examples reported in service circa 1971. Probably confusion with the FH-1100 actually used.
Cessna T-41 Mescalero
Two examples reportedly obtained under MAP in 1985 but none were ever received.
Piper PA-28 Cherokee
Planned acquisition of six examples reported in 1973. This version did not enter service, but PA-32-200 variants were later obtained.
Historical Order of Battle – 1985
Click on unit title for more details
Unit | Type | Base |
---|---|---|
Sección Aérea de la Guardia Civil | San Jose | |
Escuadrilla de Comunicaciones | P-31, P-34, Cessna 206 | San Jose, Liberia |
Escuadrilla de Helicópteros | Hughes 369E, Hiller FH-1100 | San Jose |
Escuadrilla de Apoyo de Guardia Costera | Cessna 337 | Golfito |
Escuadrilla de Helicópteros
History
No unit history available.
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
---|---|---|---|
Bell UH-1B | 2 | 1978 – 1986 | TI-SPO, TI-SPP |
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 | 1 | 1973 – n/a | TI-SPH |
Sikorsky S-58ET (SH-34J) | 2 | 1975 – 1978 | TI-SPI, TI-SPJ |
Hughes 269C | 2 | 1977 – 1980 | TI-SPL, TI-SPM |
Hughes 500 (369D) | 1 | 1985 – 1996 | MSP-010(3) |
McDonnell Douglas MD.500E | 2 | 1985 – Present | MSP-012, MSP-018 |
Mil Mi-17 | 1 | 1994 – 2002 | MSP-016(1) |
Unit Markings
Figure 1 |
---|
To be added |
Main Bases
Base | Duration |
---|---|
Base Aérea 2 San José/Juan Santa Maria IAP | 1964 – n/a |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- Latin-American Military Aviation (John Andrade)
- World Air Power Journal 32, p.143-144
Other Sources
To be added.
Escuadrilla de Comunicaciones
History
No unit history available.
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
---|---|---|---|
Aero Commander 680 | 1 | 1990 – n/a | TI-SPW |
Beechcraft C-45F | 1 | 1950 – 1960 | TI-505SP |
Cessna 180B | 1 | 1954 – 1980 | TI-SPA |
Cessna 185 (U-17A) Skywagon | 3 | 1963 – 1980 | TI-SPB,TI-SPC, TI-SPD |
Cessna 206G Stationair | 4 | 1985 – Present | TI-SPA,TI-SPB, TI-SPC, TI-SPD |
DHC U-1A Otter | 3 | 1975 – 1980 | TI-SPE, TI-SPF, TI-SPG |
Piper PA-23-160 Apache | 1 | 1977 – 1988 | TI-SPK |
Piper PA-23-250F Aztec | 2 | 1979 – 1998 | TI-SPN, TI-SPT |
Grumman American AA-5 | 1 | 1984 – 1995 | TI-SPV |
De Havilland C-7A Caribou | 3 | 1990 – Present | MSP-001,MSP-002,MSP-010 |
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne | 2 | 1990 – Present | MSP-003, MSP-019 |
Piper PA-32 Cherokee | 3 | 1979 – 1990 | TI-SPQ, TI-SPR, TI-SPS |
Piper PA-34 Seneca | 1 | 1980 – Present | MSP-017 |
Unit Markings
Figure 1 |
---|
To be added |
Main Bases
Base | Duration |
---|---|
Base Aérea 1 Liberia/Daniel Oduber IAP | 1964 – n/a |
Base Aérea 2 San José/Juan Santa Maria IAP | 1964 – n/a |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- Latin-American Military Aviation (John Andrade)
- World Air Power Journal 32, p.143-144
Other Sources
To be added.
Escuadrilla de Apoyo de Guardia Costera
History
No unit history available.
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
---|---|---|---|
Cessna 337 (O-2A) Skymaster | 3 | 1986 – Present | TI-SPE,TI-SPF,TI-SPG |
Unit Markings
Figure 1 |
---|
To be added |
Main Bases
Base | Duration |
---|---|
Base Aeronaval Golfito | n/a – n/a |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- World Air Power Journal 32, p.143-144
Other Sources
To be added.
National Markings
Costa Rican Security Force
This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Costa Rican Air Surveillance Service since its formation:
Main Marking Fin Flash
1964-1994
The main marking and on some aircraft also the serial number with are displayed in 4 positions (ie above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) of aircraft and on each side of the fuselage of helicopters. The fin flash and on some aircraft also the main marking are displayed on the rudder. Usually the inscription "FUERZA PUBLICA" is written on the fuselage sides.
1994-Present
The main marking and on some aircraft also the serial number with are displayed in 4 positions (ie above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) of aircraft and on each side of the fuselage of helicopters. The fin flash and on some aircraft also the main marking are displayed on the rudder. Usually the inscription "FUERZA PUBLICA", "VIGILANCIA AÉREA" or "POLICIA" are written on the fuselage sides.
Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security
History
Narrative Summary
The Sección Aérea de la Guardia Civil (Air Section of the Costa Rica Guardia Civil) was established in 1957. During the next years Costa Rica bought a handful of fixed-wing aircraft and three helicopters for surveillance and liaison duties. In 1994 the service was renamed Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea and became part of the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública.
Key Dates
1957 | Formation of the Air Section of the Guardia Civil | |
1994 | The service was renamed Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea. |
Current Status
Aircraft and helicopters of the Air Surveillance Service are fully operational.
Future Plans
No information available.
Markings
National Insignia
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The civilian registration prefix TI was used until 1994. MSP is used for helicopters and fixed wing aircraft as a prefix from 1994 on. New registration numbers are given were available.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None.
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:
San Jose
Organisational Structure
The Air Surveillance Service has no subordinated units.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle (as at 1985)
All-Time Flying Units List
Escuadrilla de Comunicaciones
Escuadrilla de Helicópteros
Escuadrilla de Apoyo de Guardia Costera
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The Costa Rican Air Surveillance Service currently operates from one major airbase and two secondary airfields.
Military Air Bases Listing
All-Time Air Bases Used List
More Information
Books
None.
Magazines:
World Air Power Journal No.32 p. 142-143
Websites:
Air Surveillance Service
History
No unit history available.
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
---|---|---|---|
Cessna 206G Stationair | 4 | 1985 – Present | MSP-004,005,006,007 |
De Havilland C-7A Caribou | 3 | 1990 – Present | MSP-001,002,010(2) |
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne | 2 | 1990 – Present | MSP-003,019 |
Cessna 337 (O-2A) Skymaster | 3 | 1986 – n/a | MSP-010(1),TI-SPF,TI-SPG |
Hughes 500 (369D) | 1 | 1985 – 1996 | MSP-010(3) |
McDonnell Douglas MD.500E | 2 | 1985 – Present | MSP-012,018 |
Mil Mi-17 Hip-H | 1 | 1994 – 2002 | MSP-016(1) |
Piper PA-34 Seneca | 2 | 1980 – Present | MSP-016(2),017 |
Cessna T210N Centurion | 5 | 2006 – Present | MSP-008,009,010(4),011,014 |
Unit Markings
Figure 1 |
---|
To be added |
Main Bases
Base | Duration |
---|---|
Base Aérea 2 San José/Juan Santa Maria IAP | 1994 – Present |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- Latin-American Military Aviation (John Andrade)
- World Air Power Journal 32, p.143-144
Other Sources
To be added.
Air Bases and Airfields
This page gives details of the air bases and airfields which were or are used by the Costa Rican Air Force and its successors.