LOM PRAHA recently implemented a significant organizational change related to the training of helicopter pilots for the Czech Army and foreign air forces by establishing a new unit within the CLV structure—the Helicopter Training Department—effective January 1, 2026. In this context, Mi-17 and Enstrom 480B-G helicopters were relocated from Pardubice to a new base at the Přerov-Bochoř Airport, which has been operated by a state-owned enterprise of the Ministry of Defense since October 2013.

Departure with Head Held High

In eastern Bohemia, the "CeeLV" helicopter crews have left a significant mark on the training of pilots from the Czech Air Force and members of foreign military air forces. Here is a brief overview of their history: Mi-2: total flight time of 11,350 flight hours, tail numbers 0709, 0711, 0713, 0718, 9427, 9428. The first flight at CLV took place on April 7, 2004, and the last flight at CLV took place on February 2, 2023.

Mi-17: total flight time 16,263 flight hours, fuselage numbers 0825, 0828, 0832, 0835, 0836, 0837, 0457. First flight at CLV on December 5, 2006.

Enstrom 480B-G: total flight time 14,911 flight hours, airframe numbers 0459, 0460, 0473, 0474, 0484, 0485, 0515, 0516. First flight at CLV on June 20, 2018.

Planned annual flight hours: 2,800

The Helicopter Training Department of CLV LOM PRAHA, which consists of approximately fifty employees including pilot-instructors, flight engineers, technical engineers, technicians, and drivers of ground vehicles and fuel tankers, was established on January 1, 2026. Its head is Radek Mičulek.

At the Přerov base, the LOM PRAHA Aviation Training Center will operate a maximum of five helicopters per flight shift. “We will generally fly in two shifts, from Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. and on Friday until 2 p.m.,” explains CLV Director Jaroslav Špaček, adding that this year’s flight hours for the helicopter fleet are planned at approximately 2,800 flight hours.

In connection with the redeployment of the CLV LOM PRAHA helicopter fleet to the Olomouc Region, a press conference was held at the Přerov base on the last Monday in January. Representatives of the media and local government officials were informed by LOM PRAHA s.p. Director Jiří Protiva and CLV Director Jaroslav Špaček that the main reason for the helicopters’ relocation to LKPO is the capacity limitations of the Pardubice airport, further exacerbated by the transfer of the Gripen fighters to LKPD due to the modernization of the Čáslav base. Further announcements concerned both plans for the ongoing development of local infrastructure and the expansion of cooperation with surrounding municipalities and the city of Přerov. Equally interesting were the static displays of the Mi-17 and Enstrom 480B-G helicopters, as well as the presentation of equipment for pilots and flight engineers, including a new feature being tested—next-generation tourniquets sewn into flight suits by a Czech company, which represent a unique system for quickly stopping bleeding.

Investments and Vision

It is clear that the relocation of the CLV LOM PRAHA helicopter fleet to its new base was also contingent on certain investments. Last year, a total of 15 million crowns was invested. These investments primarily involved modifications to the hangar and facilities for flight and technical personnel. It is also worth mentioning some of CLV LOM PRAHA’s plans for 2026. These include the construction of a mobile heliport in the northern part of the airport and the installation of lighting on the grass runway in cooperation with the Přerov Airport Authority. 

“Moving training operations to the Přerov Airport is a systemic step that creates the conditions for modern and sustainable pilot training for the Czech Army and our foreign partners. At the same time, we want to be a good neighbor, which is why we have maintained an open dialogue with the city of Přerov and surrounding municipalities from the very beginning, ensuring that airport operations are predictable and as harmoniously integrated into regional life as possible. “The presence of the training center and military units also brings new opportunities to the region, not only in the form of infrastructure investments but also through the creation of new skilled jobs,” says Jiří Protiva, Director of LOM PRAHA.