The Civil Guard implements nationwide PEGASO equipment for airspace control
54 PEGASO equipment has been launched, for airspace surveillance
These “Air Police” Units will face the new challenges and threats of Spanish airspace in the area of citizen security
The Civil Guard implements PEGASO equipment (Specialist Police in Aeronautical Management and Operational Safety) throughout the national territory.
These PEGASO teams will develop functions related to general aviation, exercising greater control over facilities such as airfields, flight fields, heliports and emergency runways complementing the work of the Corps in Spanish airports.
Due to the increase in both professional and recreational use of RPA, s (remotely piloted aircraft, commonly known as drones they will be in charge of the prevention and control of incidents related to these devices, for which they will have, among other means, the Global Contra Drone System (SIGLO-CD) of the Secretary of State for Security. This system has detected 112 RPAS flights in the last week.
The 54 PEGASO teams will carry out inspections of facilities and entities related to general aviation (flight schools, leisure companies, aeronautical professional services, etc.) and will provide awareness activities aimed at users of light aviation aircraft and / or RPA , s, in addition to investigating criminal acts in these areas. An example of this is the incident at the airport of Adolfo Suarez-Madrid-Barajas, on February 4, whose investigation is the responsibility of the Civil Guard.
Likewise, PEGASO teams will support the Judicial Police Units in the investigation of possible air accidents.
PEGASO teams
The creation of these teams emerged in 2016 when the Civil Guard when it created an air police team dedicated exclusively to the comprehensive control of general aviation and RPA, s.
In 2019 alone, the Pegaso Team of Madrid has completed 51 investigations of incidents related to heliports, airfields, model aircraft clubs, RPAS, ultralights and paramotors. Likewise, 9 infrastructures capable of being used for landing and take-off of unauthorized aircraft have been located, which are constantly monitored so that they are not used.
This pioneering initiative follows INTERPOL's framework recommendations for actions in case of incidents with RPA, s and places the Civil Guard as a unique reference in the European and international context, which is why various international organizations have been interested such as the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe where the PEGASO will be presented soon.
At the national level, as specialized agents, only in the Community of Madrid, they have given more than 24 days of action before RPA incidents with the participation of Local Police.
The 171 agents that make up the new “Air Police” have been trained with the collaboration of the State Air Safety Agency (AESA), ENAIRE and the Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).
