Patrulha ASPA

Ordem de batalha · Equipes de exibição · Força Aérea e Espacial Espanhola

Patrulha ASPA

One of the few helicopter-only aerobatic teams, flying five EC120 Colibrís from Armilla since 2003 and due to move to the H135 from 2027.

2003Fundada
EC120BAeronave
5In the display
AtivoStatus
Photo: José A. Montes / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
OperadorForça Aérea e Espacial EspanholaPaísEspanhaTipoHelicopter display teamHome baseArmilla Air BaseStatusAtivo
A história

Patrulla ASPA: how the team came to be and what it flies today

Instructors from Armilla

The Patrulla ASPA was formed on 23 September 2003 at Armilla Air Base near Granada, the Spanish Air and Space Force’s helicopter training base, and gave its first public display in Seville on 16 May 2004. Its first appearance abroad followed in Portugal in 2005. The team flies five Eurocopter EC120B Colibrí light helicopters, each crewed by two pilots who are also flying instructors, and is one of the few aerobatic formations in the world flying only helicopters.

Plus Ultra centenary tour

In January and February 2026 the team made its first deployment outside Europe, to mark the centenary of the 1926 Plus Ultra flight from Spain to South America. After a display at Palos de la Frontera, the starting point of the original flight, six helicopters were flown in pieces by A400M to Brazil, and the team displayed at Rio de Janeiro on 28 January, Montevideo and Buenos Aires, crossing the Río de la Plata on the way. Spanish press described the tour as the start of the farewell to the Colibrí, which is due to be replaced by the twin-engined Airbus H135 from 2027.

In January and February 2026 the team made its first deployment outside Europe, to mark the centenary of the 1926 Plus Ultra flight from Spain to South America.Patrulla ASPA · verified 2026-10-02
À primeira vista

Patrulla ASPA in numbers

The team

Formation
5 helicopters

  • Five EC120B Colibrís plus a reserve
  • Two pilots per helicopter, all instructors

First displays outside Europe in 2026.

A aeronave

Flown
Eurocopter EC120B Colibrí (HE.25)

  • Eurocopter EC120B Colibrí (2003–)
  • Airbus H135 planned from 2027

Lar

Based at
Armilla Air Base

  • Granada, Andalusia

The display

Aircraft in the display
5
A aeronave

Every type Patrulla ASPA has flown

Aeronave Anos Number Observação
Eurocopter EC120B Colibrí since 2003 5 Five in the display plus a reserve; replacement by the H135 planned from 2027.
Known for

What Patrulla ASPA is known for

  • First display outside Europe at Rio de Janeiro on 28 January 2026 (Zona Militar).
  • Display over Buenos Aires on 4 February 2026 for the Plus Ultra centenary (Infobae).
  • Six helicopters carried to South America by A400M for the 2026 tour (Zona Militar).
Linha do tempo

Patrulla ASPA, year by year

2003

Team formed at Armilla.

2004

First public display, in Seville.

2005

First display abroad, in Portugal.

2026

Plus Ultra centenary display at Palos de la Frontera.

2026

First display outside Europe, at Rio de Janeiro.

2026

Display over Buenos Aires.

2027

Planned start of replacement of the EC120 by the H135.

Perguntas e Respostas

Everything people ask about Patrulla ASPA

What helicopters does the Patrulla ASPA fly?
Five Eurocopter EC120B Colibrí light helicopters. The Airbus H135 is planned to replace them from 2027.
Where is the Patrulla ASPA based?
At Armilla Air Base near Granada.
When was the Patrulla ASPA founded?
On 23 September 2003; its first public display was in Seville on 16 May 2004.
Has the Patrulla ASPA flown outside Europe?
Yes, for the first time in early 2026, with displays in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina for the Plus Ultra centenary.

Continue a excursão

Around Patrulla ASPA

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Fontes e Leitura Complementar

Todos os fatos foram verificados.

Verified 2026-10-02.