ACAVIET, the past and present of the center where the Spanish Army's aviators are trained

The Spanish Army's Airmobile Forces (FAMET) were created on March 20, 1973, and soon took on the challenge of training their pilots.

The FAMET in excellent images that show the air power of the Spanish Army
The Spanish Army formation that could not fly in the October 12 parade

On May 9, 1973, the Airmobile Forces Training and Application Center (CIAFAM) was created, based in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid). It was the first training center for FAMET pilots. This center has had different names since then. In 1976, it became the FAMET Training Center (CEFAMET), and on December 31, 1998, its name was changed to the Helicopter Training Center, while retaining the acronym CEFAMET.

In 2013, the Army Helicopter specialty was founded, which in 2016 became the current Army Aviation specialty (AVIET). Finally, on October 6, 2017, CEFAMET was renamed the Army Aviation Academy (ACAVIET), which is its current name, maintaining its base in Colmenar Viejo.

Throughout their history, CIAFAM, CEFAMET, and ACAVIET have used different types of helicopters: the Bell OH-13G Sioux, the Bell UH-1B and UH-1H Iroquois, the MBB Bö-105, and the Bell OH-58A Kiowa. Currently, ACAVIET has 12 Eurocopter EC-135 T2+ (HE.26) light helicopters. The first two arrived at CEFAMET in 2005. Two more were delivered in 2007, and the remaining eight arrived in 2014, replacing the OH-58A and UH-1H.

The initial phase of FAMET pilot training takes place at the Spanish Air Force's 78th Wing, based in Armilla (Granada), which has 14 EC-120B Colibri helicopters for training purposes. Afterwards, the ACAVIET students return to Colmenar Viejo to complete their training.

It should be noted that in addition to pilots, ACAVIET also trains ground personnel responsible for aircraft maintenance. Along with EC-135 helicopters, ACAVIET also has simulators for various aircraft models to train its students.

If you want to know more about ACAVIET and how its pilots are trained, this Thursday Fly By Wire Aviation (a YouTube channel I recommend you subscribe to if you're interested in everything related to aviation) published an excellent report on this academy, including images of the staff who work there and their EC-135 T2+ helicopters (the video is in Spanish; you can activate automatic English subtitles in the bottom bar of the player):

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Main photo: Ejército de Tierra.