A310 FAP

In 1990, the Portuguese Air Force Support and Projection Squadron, located in Beja in the south of the country, acquired three Airbus A310 aircraft.

The purpose of these three aircraft is to expand and increase the capacity of projection and transport for the benefit of different armies at national and international level.
Their missions are to ensure the projection of military elements in different theaters of operation, personal assistance, ensure the evacuation of nationals, ensure medical evacuations, accompany delegations on official trips and transport high political and military personalities.

The number 01 and the number 03 have been painted in dark gray. They are in charge of the transport of military, material, medical evacuation and nationals. In 1992 and 1993 they were sent to Germany for the addition of a cargo door at the front of the fuselage to facilitate the embarkation of stretchers and material. Different KIT will also be installed, making the aircraft extremely versatile.

- A first KIT called classic can carry 208 passengers in full economy.
- A second KIT called light can carry 2 stretchers with light injuries and 200 passengers in economy version.
-A third KIT "combi" can carry six 7m3 centenarians each and 105 economy passengers.
-A fourth Full Cargo KIT is also available, taking all the A310F's carrying characteristics.
-Finally a fifth KIT has been set up in 2009 jointly with the German Air Force "Luftwaffe" that can carry 6 heavy casualties or 10 light casualties. This KIT has been called HEAVY MEDIC.

It should be noted that in 2006 the Portuguese Air Force started to think in favor of the installation of an in-flight refueling system of the ARBS type. This system takes place under the end of each wing and allows the refueling in flight of two combat aircraft simultaneously. The first to be equipped was number 03 in April 2007. The number 01 followed a few months later, giving the Portuguese Air Force their first MRTT aircraft.

This system is not represented on the model above.


The number 02 is painted in different colors. Unlike its two European counterparts, it does not have a cargo door at the front of the aircraft.
It is also used for the transport of military, to carry out various evacuations which are medical or of nationals. It can carry 2 to 4 stretchers placed at the front of the cabin.
It is also used for the transport of high military and political authorities. It generally accompanies the delegations during official trips. A VIP KIT has been developed with the Cabin and Système Corporation based in Luxembourg.

The installation of the entire KIT takes between 30 and 45 minutes depending on the desired configuration. This can go up to 02h30 for the VIP version.

Airbus A310 n° 01 / 03-183
Purchased from the American company PAN AM on May 04, 1990, it has already achieved 9871 flight hours since its entry into service on April 16, 1987.
On March 16, 2020, day of the 35th anniversary of the squadron, the 03-183 had 35159 flight hours, 25288 of which were flown for the Portuguese Air Force.

Airbus A310 n°02 / 14955
When it enters in service within the squadron on May 04, 1990 the 14955 has already made 2466 hours of flight to the loan of the companies, Canadian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. On March 16, 2020, the 35th anniversary of the squadron, it had accumulated 48357 hours.
23735 hours of flight time have been achieved by the squadron.
It was withdrawn from service in September 2022 with a total of 47249 flight hours in more than 37 years of service. It was destroyed some months later.

Airbus A310 n°03 / 03-184
Put in service by the American company PAN AM on June 23, 1988, it joined the squadron on May 04, 1990 totaling 10012 flight hours.
At the time of the 35th anniversary of the squadron on March 16, 2020, 33927 flight hours had been carried out of which 22855 by the squadron.