PA-40 returns to service
On 7 November 2021, the Argentine Prefectura Naval (PNA, Coast Guard) accepted their Dauphin with serial PA-40 back into service at the 75th anniversary of the fleet at Puerto Nuevo in Buenos Aires.
The aircraft was upgraded to AS365N3+ standard by Helibras in Brazil.
The Argentine government approved the upgrade of three Dauphins from N2 to N3+ standard on 18 January 2017.
Earlier, Dauphin PA-43 went through the same process, it returned to service in Devember 2020, and PA-41 is up next. The original timeframe called for this work to be finished by last year, probably the covid situation interfered with that.
The helicopters are operated by the Escuadrilla de Alas Rotativas (EAR) and are based at Comodoro Rivadavia/Gral. Mosconi (Cht), Mar del Plata/Bgdier. Gral. D.B. de la Colina (BA) and Puerto Nuevo/Jorge R. Ballestra (CF).
According to the Scramble Magazine database, the Prefectura Naval operates five Dauphins, of which one is leased. Three of them were earmarked for the upgrade to N3+ standard. If you have an update on the construction number of PA-42, please send it to
Photo via helis.com and by Wim Sonneveld