BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE ACADEMY
AFA (Air Force Academy), located at Pirassununga,
State of São Paulo, is responsible for the training of
Pilots, Administrative and Aeronautics Infantry Officers
for the Brazilian Air Force.
[5] The history of the Brazilian military pilots schools
goes back to 1913, when the Brazilian Aviation School
was founded, at Campo dos Afonsos, State of Rio de
Janeiro. Its mission was to provide instruction at similar
levels to those of the best European schools at the time;
[10] Blériot and Farman aircraft, made in France, were
available for the instruction of the pupils. The Great War
1914-1918, however, forced its instructors to leave and
the school was closed.
At that time, both the Brazilian Army and Navy had
[15] their own air arms, the Military Aviation and the Naval
Aviation. The Navy bought Curtiss F seaplanes in May
1916 to equip the latter, and in August of the same year,
the Naval Aviation School was created.
The Military Aviation, however, only activated
[20] its Military Aviation School after the Great War, on 10
July 1919. Among the aircrafts used at the school, one
could find the Sopwith 1A2, Bréguet 14A2, and Spad 7.
Until the beginning of the 1940s, both schools
continued with their activities. The Brazilian Government
[25] was concerned with the air war in Europe and decided to
concentrate under a single command the military aviation
activities. Thus, on 20 January 1941, the Air Ministry was
created and both the Army and Navy air arms were
disbanded, their personnel and equipment forming
[30] the Brazilian Air Force. On 25 March 1941,
the Aeronautics School was based at Campo dos
Afonsos, and its students became known as Aeronautics
Cadets from 1943 to the current days.
As early as 1942, it became clear that
[35] the Aeronautics School would need to be transferred to
another place, offering better climate and little
interference with the flight instruction of the future pilots.
The town of Pirassununga was chosen among
others, and, in 1952, the first buildings construction was
[40] initiated. The transfer of the School activities to
Pirassununga occurred from 1960 to 1971. The School
was redesigned as the Air Force Academy in 1969.
The motto of the Academy is the Latin expression
“Macte Animo! Generose Puer, sic itur ad astra”,
[45] extracted from the poem Thebaida, by the Roman poet
Tatius. It is an exhortation to the cadets, which can be
translated as Courage! This is the way, oh noble
youngster, to the stars.
The instruction of the Aeronautics Cadets, during
[50] the four-year-long course, has its activities centred in the
words COURAGE - LOYALTY - HONOUR - DUTY -
MOTHERLAND. The future officers take courses on
several subjects, including Calculus, Computer Science,
Mechanics, Portuguese and English, given by civilian
[55] lecturers, Air Force instructors and supervisors. The
military instruction itself is given on a daily basis, and the
Cadets are trained on different subjects, including
parachuting, and sea and jungle survival.
According to the chosen specialization, the Cadet will
[60] receive specific instruction:
Pilots: Instruction on precision maneuvering, aerobatics,
formation flying and by instruments, with 75 flying hours
on the primary/basic training aircraft T-25 Universal,
beginning on the 2nd term of the 1st year and completed
[65] in the 3rd year. Advanced training is given on T-27
Tucano aircraft, with 125 flying hours.
Administrative: Training on the scientific and
technological modern foundations of economics and
financial management, and logistics training.
[70] Aeronautics Infantry: Instruction on defense and
security techniques of military Aeronautics installations,
anti-aircraft measures, command of troops and firefighting
teams, military laws and regulations, armament
usage, military service and call-up procedures.
[75] During their leisure time, the Cadets participate on
the activities of seven different clubs: Aeromodelling,
Literature, Informatics, Firearms shooting, Gauchos
Heritage (for those coming from the South of Brazil),
Gerais Club and Sail Flying. The clubs are directed by
[80] the Cadets themselves, under supervision of Air Force
officers.
The Academy also houses the Brazilian Air
Force Air Demonstration Squadron - The Smoke
Squadron.
Flying as the eagles do!
Adapted from http://www.rudnei.cunha.nom.br/FAB/en/afa.html
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