Association Pilotes Volontaires
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Association Pilotes Volontaires (French: 'Volunteer Pilots Association') is a charitable NGO based in France which flies Search and rescue missions looking for refugees in danger on the Mediterranean Sea with their two reconnaissance aircraft.[1] It was founded by José Benavente[2] and Benoît Micolon in January 2018.[3] Their initial aircraft, a Dyn'Aéro MCR4S, was called Colibri, and flew its first mission in May 2018.[4]
Association Pilotes Volontaires typically operates by contacting the MRCC in Rome, rather than NGO rescue vessels directly.[5]
As of June 2019, they had logged 52 missions, sighting 54 boats and by their estimates saving more than 4,300 people.[4] At that date, the Association numbered 14 volunteer staff including eight pilots.[4]
In December 2020, Association Pilotes Volontaires[6] began operation of a second Dyn'Aéro MCR4S reconnaissance aircraft, named Colibri 2; both aircraft were still operational in December 2021.[7]
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