Graesp promotes improvement of pilots in twin-engine aircraft
Professionals are qualified to operate one of the most modern aircraft in the group
In a continuous effort to ensure the safety and efficiency of its operations, the Public Security Air Group (Graesp), linked to the Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup), has completed the training of four officers from the pilot corps for the role of commander of twin-engine aircraft. The four assume the commander seat of the EC-145 aircraft, the largest aircraft in Graesp when it comes to helicopters.
With over 10 years of experience, and each having a minimum of 2,000 flight hours, the military have joined the crew of the most complete aircraft in the state fleet. The pilots who ascended to commander of the EC 145 are: Col. PM Armando Gonçalves, director of Graesp; Col. PM Aldemi Souza Júnior, Col. BM Cledson, and Capt. PM Edimo Costa. Thus, the number of commanders of this aircraft increases from 2 to 6.
To achieve this position, pilots must meet certain requirements, including: being a commander of the AS50B2 helicopter (Squirrel); having an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) license known as Instrument Flight; and also the Multi-Engine Land Helicopter (HMLT) license required to pilot twin-engine aircraft.
According to the director of the Air Group and one of the pilots in the new role, Col. Armando Gonçalves, the ascension represents the enhancement of the skills and knowledge of the professionals, preparing them to face the complex challenges of daily operations, which grants Graesp national recognition.
“Today, Graesp is already recognized throughout Brazil for its ability to train pilots, to prepare, to train, to adapt, and to elevate to more difficult levels, as is the case with twin-engine aircraft, such as the EC145. So, today all air agencies in Brazil already see the level of excellence of our group due to the quality, preparation, knowledge, and adaptation. They even come to Graesp in search of our knowledge,” he states.
The director explains that Graesp begins the training of pilots from the very start as private pilots, moving on to commercial pilot, then multi-engine pilot with aircraft with more than one engine, and finally, instrument flight pilots for those prepared to fly in adverse weather conditions or night flights.
“Graesp not only trains the base personnel, which is the private pilot, but it also conducts the entire training of the pilots. Recently, we completed the training for the ascension of four more. All who ascended were already commanders of Squirrels. All of this greatly improves the technical quality of the pilots, operational safety, and we are able to provide better services to society,” he concluded.
Complete Aircraft
The EC145 helicopter (Guardian 05) is the largest and most complete rotary-wing aircraft of Graesp, representing the pinnacle of the careers of police pilots in the Public Air Unit. The aircraft can transport up to 9 people and is employed in various missions such as transporting dignitaries, aeromedical support, troop movement, police operations, civil defense, and environmental missions, in addition to organ transport.
The aircraft plays a crucial role in Graesp's operations, allowing for the rapid transport of teams and equipment to remote and hard-to-reach areas.
For Colonel Edimo Costa, one of those who ascended to the new position, this new level achieved is the consolidation of years of effort and dedication with much time devoted to studies.
“Remembering that the experiences and lessons shared by our flight instructors Col. PM Freitas and Col. PM Petillo, both police pilots of Graesp, were of utmost importance for our professional growth until reaching the goal of being the commander of the Guardian 05 aircraft. The 'achieved level' demonstrates that the military is considered fit to assume final responsibility for all actions on board, from takeoff to landing. It is a position of total trust from the institution,” he emphasized.
