františek got into trouble for fighting, returning late to his unit, and other breaches of discipline. he could have been dishonourably discharged, but he showed an exceptional promise as a pilot, so he was sent to the 4th air regiment to train as a fighter pilot. in june 1938 he became a fighter pilot with the 40th fighter flight at prague-kbely flying avia b-534 and bk-534 biplane fighters. here he developed his flying and combat skills.