101 Squadron (Portugal)
101 Squadron, known as Roncos, is a Portuguese Air Force unit responsible for elementary and basic flight training.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
101 Squadron, formally Esquadra 101 and traditionally known by the nickname Roncos, is a flight-training unit of the Portuguese Air Force. It is not a commercial consumer brand, but an institutional military aviation organization whose identity is associated with the preparation of Portuguese military pilots. Its principal role is to provide elementary and basic flight instruction, forming an early stage of the Portuguese military aviation training system. The squadron was established in April 1978 during a reorganization of the Portuguese Air Force. At its creation, it assumed the personnel, equipment, and institutional inheritance of the disbanded 21 Squadron, which had operated as the Elementary Pilot Training Squadron at Ota Air Base. The new unit therefore inherited more than aircraft and staff: it also carried forward training practices and traditions connected with Portuguese military aviation dating from 1916. 101 Squadron initially operated the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. In October 1989, it began receiving the Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30, a purpose-built trainer that became the squadron's principal aircraft. The same period also brought an expanded training responsibility. In 1989, the squadron took on basic flight instruction in addition to elementary training, replacing the former Basic Pilot Training Squadron in that role and assuming some responsibilities previously associated with 102 Squadron. The unit's location changed several times as its training mission developed. It was based at Ota when formed, moved to Sintra Air Base in October 1989, and transferred to Beja Air Base on 15 June 1993. In 2009, it returned to Sintra, where it is currently based. Sintra Air Base is also associated with the squadron's continuing role in the Portuguese military aviation training structure. The squadron operates the Epsilon TB-30 and an Epsilon flight simulator. Under an agreement between the Portuguese Air Force and the Portuguese Navy, Naval Aviation pilots also receive flight training through 101 Squadron. This makes the unit relevant not only to Air Force pilot development but also to inter-service aviation preparation within Portugal. The aircraft information associated with the unit identifies the Chipmunk as having served from 1978 to 1989, the Epsilon TB-30 as serving from 1989 onward, and the A-29N Super Tucano as entering service from 2025. These changes reflect the squadron's continuing evolution from the Chipmunk-era elementary training organization into a modern military flight-training unit. Its current institutional positioning is therefore defined by continuity of training traditions, responsibility for foundational pilot instruction, and cooperation with Portugal's naval aviation organization.
History
101 Squadron was created in April 1978 as part of a Portuguese Air Force reorganization. Its formation followed the disbandment of 21 Squadron, formerly the Elementary Pilot Training Squadron, which had been based at Ota Air Base and equipped with de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft. 101 Squadron took over the former unit's personnel and equipment and inherited its training traditions. Those traditions were presented as part of a broader Portuguese military aviation history reaching back to 1916. The squadron's original function centered on elementary pilot instruction. In October 1989, it received the Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30 and moved to Sintra Air Base. That year also marked an expansion of its responsibilities: in addition to elementary instruction, 101 Squadron received a basic flight-training mission. It consequently replaced the former Basic Pilot Training Squadron in that area and assumed some duties that had previously been carried out by 102 Squadron. On 15 June 1993, the squadron transferred from Sintra to Beja Air Base. Its time at Beja formed part of the continuing reorganization of Portuguese military flight training, but the unit later returned to Sintra in 2009. Sintra Air Base remains its stated current base. The Epsilon TB-30 has been the squadron's principal training aircraft since the transition from the Chipmunk period. The unit also operates an Epsilon flight simulator, extending its training capability beyond live flying. Its mission has an inter-service dimension: under an agreement between the Portuguese Air Force and the Portuguese Navy, pilots of Naval Aviation also undergo flight training with 101 Squadron. The squadron's listed aircraft history records the DHC-1 Chipmunk from 1978 to 1989, the Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30 from 1989 onward, and the A-29N Super Tucano from 2025 onward. Taken together, these transitions indicate the replacement of an older elementary trainer by the Epsilon and a later expansion or modernization of the unit's aircraft inventory. Throughout these changes, the defining institutional continuity of 101 Squadron has been its role in the earliest stages of Portuguese military pilot training.
- 2025
A-29N Super Tucano listed from 2025
[1]The squadron's aircraft listing identifies the A-29N Super Tucano as part of its aircraft inventory from 2025.
- 2009
Return to Sintra
[1]101 Squadron transfers back to Sintra Air Base, its current stated location.
- 1993
Transfer to Beja Air Base
[1]The unit moves from Sintra to Beja Air Base on 15 June 1993.
- 1989
Epsilon TB-30 enters service
[1]The squadron receives Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30 aircraft and expands its responsibilities to include basic flight instruction.
- 1989
Move to Sintra Air Base
[1]Following the introduction of the Epsilon, 101 Squadron transfers from Ota Air Base to Sintra Air Base.
- 1978
101 Squadron is established
[1]The Portuguese Air Force creates 101 Squadron during a reorganization, incorporating the personnel, equipment, and training heritage of the disbanded 21 Squadron at Ota Air Base.
Products and positioning
A foundational Portuguese military aviation training unit that combines elementary and basic flight instruction with long-standing national flight-training traditions and inter-service cooperation.
Elementary flight trainer · 1978
DHC-1 Chipmunk
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk was the squadron's initial training aircraft after its creation in 1978. It was inherited through the organizational lineage of 21 Squadron and remained associated with 101 Squadron until 1989, when the unit transitioned to the Epsilon TB-30.
Military flight trainer · 1989
Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30
The Epsilon TB-30 became 101 Squadron's principal training aircraft from 1989. Its introduction coincided with the squadron's move to Sintra and the expansion of its mission from elementary instruction to include basic flight training. The squadron also operates an Epsilon flight simulator.
Military flight trainer and light attack aircraft · 2025
A-29N Super Tucano
The A-29N Super Tucano is listed among 101 Squadron's aircraft from 2025 onward. The available reference identifies the aircraft's association with the squadron but does not provide further detail on the precise training role, fleet size, or operating schedule.
Brand decisions
2025
A-29N Super Tucano aircraft transitionProduct launchBackground
The squadron's aircraft listing records the A-29N Super Tucano from 2025, indicating a further change in its training-aircraft inventory.
Action taken
The A-29N Super Tucano is identified as entering the squadron's aircraft inventory from 2025.
Aftermath
The available reference does not specify the extent of the fleet transition or the aircraft's detailed operational allocation.
2009
Return to Sintra Air BaseStrategyBackground
After operating from Beja Air Base since 1993, the squadron was repositioned within the Portuguese Air Force's flight-training structure.
Action taken
101 Squadron transferred back to Sintra Air Base.
Aftermath
Sintra became the squadron's current stated base for elementary and basic flight training.
1989
Transition from Chipmunk to Epsilon TB-30Generation changeBackground
The squadron's original DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft were replaced as the Portuguese Air Force modernized its elementary and basic flight-training capability.
Action taken
101 Squadron received the Aérospatiale Epsilon TB-30 and expanded its mission to include basic flight instruction.
Aftermath
The Epsilon became the squadron's continuing principal trainer and was later supplemented by an Epsilon flight simulator.
Sources2 sources
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