Pakistan Earthquake ‘Helicopter Heroes’ Win Hearts

These men are the helicopter pilots of Pakistan’s armed forces – perhaps the only group of people in the sordid drama that have delivered more than was ever expected of them. While those in cities and towns – helped mostly by road transport – have perhaps not even noticed their presence beyond the deafening hum of the rotors on their flying machines, villagers call them angels. “Aviators are pampered brats because of the nature of their job,” Yet each one of the 20-odd chopper pilots employed by the Pakistan army has been doing 12 to 16 hour days since the quake struck.