Costa Rican Security Force

Aircraft Not Used

Last updated:
by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security

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

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Civil Guard

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

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Civil Guard

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

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Civil Guard

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

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Civil Guard

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

Last updated:

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.


                                                         
                               Main Marking                                Fin Flash

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

Last updated:
Operator Profile

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

Current — Historical

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

Military Air Bases Listing

More Information

Books

None.

Magazines:

World Air Power Journal No.32 p. 142-143

Websites:

Ministerio Seguridad Pública

Scramble: Costa Rica Air Arm

Air Surveillance Service

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security

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

Last updated:
of the Costa Rican Air Force & Security Force

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This page gives details of the air bases and airfields which were or are used by the Costa Rican Air Force and its successors.