Prince Harry, 24, has passed his basic helicopter training course.
Harry has been training with the Army Air Corps and sources say he is now likely to opt to fly Lynx support helicopters, rather than Apaches or Gazelles, the two other helicopters used by the Army Air Corps.
Britain is buying 62 new Lynx Wildcat helicopters from AgustaWestland at a cost of £27 million each.
He spent ten weeks fighting in Afghanistan last year, and is eager to return. The authorities aren't too keen to let him go again (they weren't the first time), but like any other soldier Harry is keen to go and fight on the frontline with the rest of the lads.
Meanwhile, Prince William, 27, is training to become an RAF search and rescue pilot.
It can only be a good thing if the grandsons of the Queen - one of whom will one day become King - are fighting for their country, just like their grandparents, the Queen and Prince Phillip, did during WWII.
Prince Phillip, the Queen's husband, served in the Royal Navy during the War, seeing action in the Battle of Cape Matapan, the Battle of Crete and the invasion of Sicily.
The Queen trained as a driver and mechanic in the Auxilary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army, and drove a military truck.
She's the only living Head of State in the world to have served in WWII, before the likes of Obama and Sarkozy were even born.
Prince Harry passes helicopter pilot's course with flying colours
Prince Harry has passed his basic helicopter training course, it can be revealed.
By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter
16 Aug 2009
The Telegraph
During his first 40 hours of flying, the Prince has covered take-off, landing, basic helicopter handling and some advanced handling Photo: MOD
The Prince, 24, is to begin his advanced flying training at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire having now successfully completed 40 hours of flying.
Royal aides say the Prince is "delighted" to have passed stage one of his course, while other informed sources say he is now likely to opt to fly Lynx support helicopters, rather than Apaches or Gazelles, the two other helicopters used by the Army Air Corps.
Prince Harry appears to prefer the Lynx. In June, at a photo call at RAF Shawbury also attended by Prince William, the younger royal brother said: "I think the Lynx is more challenging, it's more my cup of tea than the Apache.
"That's how I feel but that might change halfway though." However, he added: "I'll fly wherever I'm told to fly."
Prince Harry secretly spent ten weeks serving in Afghanistan early last year and has spoken of his desire to return to the war-torn country.
But the Lynx has only had a limited role in Afghanistan. By opting to fly the Lynx, Prince Harry may reduce his chances of serving again in the war zone: typically, there are only five in theatre at any one time.
Britain announced in April that it is buying 62 new Lynx Wildcat helicopters from AgustaWestland at a cost of £27 million each, but they will not be available to for use by troops for a few years.
During his first 40 hours of flying, the Prince has covered take-off, landing, basic helicopter handling and some advanced handling, which is mainly to do with emergency situations.
He has also successfully completed advanced ground school, which he found a struggle earlier in the summer.
Advanced flying training will see him undertake a further 40 hours or so of flying, covering the more advanced aspects of flying such as night-flying, 'instrument' flying in bad weather, more emergency drills, and more advanced handling techniques.
The advanced stage of his course will take him into October. If he passes this stage, he will then move from RAF Shawbury to the Army Air Corps' base at Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
If Prince Harry completes his training, he will be awarded his "wings" in March before he is assigned to either the Lynx, Gazelle or Apache for final instructions.
A spokesman for St James's Palace said last night: "Prince Harry has successfully completed basic flying training at RAF Shawbury and now moves to the advanced flying course."
Prince William, 27, who already has his "wings", is training to become an RAF search and rescue pilot.
telegraph.co.uk
Harry has been training with the Army Air Corps and sources say he is now likely to opt to fly Lynx support helicopters, rather than Apaches or Gazelles, the two other helicopters used by the Army Air Corps.
Britain is buying 62 new Lynx Wildcat helicopters from AgustaWestland at a cost of £27 million each.
He spent ten weeks fighting in Afghanistan last year, and is eager to return. The authorities aren't too keen to let him go again (they weren't the first time), but like any other soldier Harry is keen to go and fight on the frontline with the rest of the lads.
Meanwhile, Prince William, 27, is training to become an RAF search and rescue pilot.
It can only be a good thing if the grandsons of the Queen - one of whom will one day become King - are fighting for their country, just like their grandparents, the Queen and Prince Phillip, did during WWII.
Prince Phillip, the Queen's husband, served in the Royal Navy during the War, seeing action in the Battle of Cape Matapan, the Battle of Crete and the invasion of Sicily.
The Queen trained as a driver and mechanic in the Auxilary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army, and drove a military truck.
She's the only living Head of State in the world to have served in WWII, before the likes of Obama and Sarkozy were even born.
Prince Harry passes helicopter pilot's course with flying colours
Prince Harry has passed his basic helicopter training course, it can be revealed.
By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter
16 Aug 2009
The Telegraph
During his first 40 hours of flying, the Prince has covered take-off, landing, basic helicopter handling and some advanced handling Photo: MOD
The Prince, 24, is to begin his advanced flying training at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire having now successfully completed 40 hours of flying.
Royal aides say the Prince is "delighted" to have passed stage one of his course, while other informed sources say he is now likely to opt to fly Lynx support helicopters, rather than Apaches or Gazelles, the two other helicopters used by the Army Air Corps.
Prince Harry appears to prefer the Lynx. In June, at a photo call at RAF Shawbury also attended by Prince William, the younger royal brother said: "I think the Lynx is more challenging, it's more my cup of tea than the Apache.
"That's how I feel but that might change halfway though." However, he added: "I'll fly wherever I'm told to fly."
Prince Harry secretly spent ten weeks serving in Afghanistan early last year and has spoken of his desire to return to the war-torn country.
But the Lynx has only had a limited role in Afghanistan. By opting to fly the Lynx, Prince Harry may reduce his chances of serving again in the war zone: typically, there are only five in theatre at any one time.
Britain announced in April that it is buying 62 new Lynx Wildcat helicopters from AgustaWestland at a cost of £27 million each, but they will not be available to for use by troops for a few years.
During his first 40 hours of flying, the Prince has covered take-off, landing, basic helicopter handling and some advanced handling, which is mainly to do with emergency situations.
He has also successfully completed advanced ground school, which he found a struggle earlier in the summer.
Advanced flying training will see him undertake a further 40 hours or so of flying, covering the more advanced aspects of flying such as night-flying, 'instrument' flying in bad weather, more emergency drills, and more advanced handling techniques.
The advanced stage of his course will take him into October. If he passes this stage, he will then move from RAF Shawbury to the Army Air Corps' base at Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
If Prince Harry completes his training, he will be awarded his "wings" in March before he is assigned to either the Lynx, Gazelle or Apache for final instructions.
A spokesman for St James's Palace said last night: "Prince Harry has successfully completed basic flying training at RAF Shawbury and now moves to the advanced flying course."
Prince William, 27, who already has his "wings", is training to become an RAF search and rescue pilot.
telegraph.co.uk
Last edited:
