Přerov - Czech Army helicopter pilots filed a complaint against the army leadership for alleged bullying they have been subjected to. This information was brought by MF DNES daily.

The pilots don't like being replaced from flying.

Unpopular replacement

The army top officers issued an order that W-3A Sokol (hawk) military helicopters will no longer be used in the Přerov military base. The helicopter unit was part of the Search and Rescue unit.

The "Sokols" are supposed to be replaced by Mi-171Š helicopters.

"Although there are only four of us, many other pilots support us, including the younger ones. They are not prepared to present their opinion publicly so they don't meet the same fate like us," helicopter captain Petr Havala said.

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Letter to the minister

The group of pilots addressed Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanová and provided her with a detailed economic and technical analysis that states that Mi-171Š helicopters are not only unsuitable for rescue operations, but even dangerous.

In addition, their operation is incomparably more costly, they say.

Subsequently, the minister abolished the order. The generality reacted by commanding the pilots to move from Přerov to Prague where these highly qualified pilots whose training cost was in CZK tens of millions now work in bureaucratic posts. However, they are still paid as pilots.

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Rescue service stopped

The result of this development has been blocking the rescue service in Přerov for several months.

Young pilots that should replace those who were removed to Prague will have to train for months in order to get necessary qualification.

"We are leaving the army. We are pilots, not some paperwork bureau rats," Petr Havala was quoted by MF DNES.  

Military staff head Vlastimil Picek said he was not informed about the complaint so he cannot make a comment.