Rotores de Portugal

The Rotores de Portugal (Portuguese for "Rotors of Portugal") is a helicopter flight demonstration team created in 1976, operated by Esquadra 552 (Squadron 552) of the Portuguese Air Force, based in No 11 Air Base, Beja. They are the national helicopter display team of Portugal and use three Sud Aviation Alouette III.

Rotors of Portugal
Rotores de Portugal
Rotores de Portugal
Active	April, 1976 to the Present
Country	Portugal
Branch	Portuguese Air Force
Type	Aerobatic team
Role	Helicopter flight demonstration
Size	5 Officers 6 Enlisted
Part of	Squadron 552
Base	No 11 Air Base, Beja, Portugal
Aircraft flown
Helicopter	Aérospatiale Alouette III

In 1976, the aerobatic team Rotores de Portugal was created by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff (CEMFA) to represent the Portuguese Air Force in several festivals all over the country. The team operated for 18 years while integrated with the 102 Squadron Panchos, and flew a total of 41 demonstrations.

On the fifty-third anniversary of the Air Force, in 2005, the Rotores de Portugal were reactivated and integrated with the 552 Squadron, based at Beja Air Base.

The last performing of the Rotores de Portugal occurred in 2010, with the team being currently inactive. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Air Force initiated the deactivation of their remaining Alouette III helicopters, which are being replaced by a smaller number of AgustaWestland AW119 Koala.[1]