Five experienced Pawan Hans pilots quit in protest move

Five experienced Pawan Hans pilots quit in protest move

2-Dec-2013 Source: HeliHub.com

The Mumbai Mirror is reporting that five helicopter pilots from India state-owned operator Pawan Hans have quit to protest against flying anti-Naxal missions. Naxalites are a radical communist group, supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideologies, and active on the eastern side of India. They are generally regarded as the biggest threat to stability in the country.

The five pilots have all been with Pawan Hans over 15 years, and are of “Deputy General Manager” status and their en-masse departure will hit the operator hard. In an email sent to the Managing Director and General Manager of the company, the pilots contend that operating under constant stress is now impossible for them, effectively saying it is a safety issue. They have been flying for the Police in Naxal affected areas of Gadchiroli, Chattisgarh and Giridh and Palamu for the last five years. The five see the risks much higher given that none have any military background and – as you would expect for civil machines – their helicopters are not armed.

The five compriase the management team of Pawan Hans’ Western Region
– DGM Operations, M V Alexander
– DGM Training, AP Singh
– DGM Air Safety, E Samuel
– DGM Coordination, A Manchanda
– DGM R Oahatkar

Director-general of Police Sanjeev Dayal is quoted as saying there should be no security concerns. “The pilots are based in our Gadchiroli headquarters which are secure. Whenever they fly to any part of the Naxal affected area, the helipad is always secure. If the pilots have resigned, Pawan Hans has to provide us replacement as our contract with them is alive.”

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

, , ,

Copyright © 2024 HeliHub

Website by Design Inc

Helihub logo

X