Maharashtra CM finds pilots to fly state aircraft

Mumbai: After a prolonged wait, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has finally found pilots both for the state-owned aircraft and helicopter to fly VVIPs, including himself, governor S M Krishna and deputy chief minister R R Patil across the state.
After two pilots quit their jobs to take up lucrative assignments with private airlines, the Congress-led democratic front government had launched a massive search for the new pilots. “Certainly, it was a difficult task in view of the poor salaries offered by us compared to the huge package offered by the private sector,’’ a senior official told TOI.
In view of the acute shortage of pilots, the state government had asked the ministry of defence to provide pilots on deputation basis. Accordingly, now the Indian airforce has agreed to depute two pilots, in the rank of wing commander for the aircraft, while one pilot from the Indian navy in the rank of captain, will join the state-services on deputation for the helicopter. “The formalities have been completed and we expect them to join within a month,’’ the official said.
10/05/07 Times of India

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Categories: General Aviation May 2007