Força Aérea Brasileira – Academia de Força Aérea

Author: Ian French Photography: Ian French & Força Aérea Brasileira

The Academia de Força Aérea was formed as the Escola de Aeronáutica in 1941 and received its present name in 1969.

The Academy moved from Campo dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro to Campo Fontanelle/Pirassununga, São Paulo in 1971. The Academy has consisted of the following units which are detailed further below: – 1.Esquadrão – 2.Esquadrão – Esquadrão de Demonstração Aérea – Esquadrão de Fumaca – Clube de Vôo a Vela – Clube de Ultraleves

1.Esquadrão

The unit was formed in 1969 and controls Esquadrilhas Antares, Castor, Sirius, and Vega. 42 T-27 are being upgraded to T-27M standard although this number may be cut. The first four upgraded aircraft were delivered in December 2021. Upgrades are undertaken at Parque de Material Aeronáutico de Lagoa Santa and feature replacement of the analogue cockpit by an all glass cockpit.

Aircraft operated: S11 (T-21) 1954-1973, A122A (T-23) 1973-1983 & T-27 from 1983

2.Esquadrão

The unit was formed in 1969 and controls Esquadrilhas Orion, Centaurus, Aquila, and Leo. The long serving T-25 is being upgraded to T-25M standard at Parque de Material Aeronáutico de Lagoa Santa and the first prototype flew in December 2024. 38 upgrades are planned and like the T-27M upgrade the analogue cockpit will be replaced by a glass cockpit. The first four upgraded examples were delivered to the AFA in December 2025.

Aircraft operated: S12 (T-22) 1960-1973, A122A (T-23) 1969-1986, T-37B 1967-1981 & T-25 from 1968

Esquadrão de Demonstração Aérea – Esquadrão de Fumaca

The unit was formed in 1952 at Campo dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro with four North American T-6 Texan. In 1968 the squadron was reequipped with seven Fouga Magister (T-24), which were used until 1975, when the North American T-6 Texan were used again until the unit disbanded in 1976. The squadron moved to Base Aérea de Pirassununga, São Paulo in 1971. The unit was reactivated in 1982.

Aircraft operated: T-6 1952-1968, CM170 (T-4) 1968-1975, T-6 1975-1976, T-25 from 1982, T-27 1983-2012 & A-29A/B from 2013

Clube de Vôo a Vela

The unit was formed as Clube de Vôo a Vela da Sociedade dos Cadetes da Aeronáutica in 1972 and became Clube de Vôo a Vela da Academia da Força Aérea in 1976.

Clube de Ultraleves The unit was formed in 1984 and disbanded in 1995. Its activities were assumed by the Clube de Vôo a Vela.

Aviation Press would like to thank the Força Aérea Brasileira for their hospitality and assistance with the article.

1333 T-27 AFA (2)

1341 1426 1438 1441 T-27 AFA

1359 & 1416 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1359 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1361 T-27 30 Anno 2013

1361 T-27

1372 & 1378 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1414 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1416 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1418 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1437 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1438 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1438 T-27 AFA Pirassununga2

1438 T-27 AFA

1439 T-27M AFA Pirassununga

1441 T-27 AFA Pirassununga

1441 T-27 AFA(4)

1441 T-27 AFA

1446 T-27M AFA Pirassununga

1446 T-27M AFA Pirassununga2

1446 T-27M AFA Pirassununga3

1447 T-27 AFA(2)

1871 T-25A AFA

1880 T-25M AFA Pirssununga2

1880 T-25M AFA Pirssununga3

1890 T-25C AFA (2)

1891 T-25C AFA Pirassununga

1891 T-25C AFA

1908 T-25C AFA 80 Anno 2021 2022 Pirassununga

1911 T-25A AFA

5710 A-29A

5719 A-29A FDA

Brazilian trainers at AFA

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