Republicans often complain (usually wrongly) that royals do not know what it's like to work hard for a living.
But that is an argument they definitely cannot use when it comes to Prince William.
For, on Friday, the prince graduated as a fully-qualified RAF helicopter co-pilot.
The future King has been training for the past 21 months to become a Sea King co-pilot, a helicopter course which is one of the toughest on the planet.
And, on Friday, Flight Lieutenant William Wales, as he is known in the RAF, joined 22 Squadron, C Flight.
He will now prepare for 24 hour shifts flying the famous yellow choppers and the prospect of dealing with serious injuries and deaths during sea, mountain and flood rescue missions across the UK.
He is expected to be based at RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, north Wales, for the next three years.
The future king, 28, said: ‘The training has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force.’
The prince and six other students accepted certificates and squadron badges from Group Captain Jonathan Dixon on Friday. The group also had their photo taken. No guests were invited to the informal ceremony.
Soon there will be lucky members of the public who will be able to say that a future King helped to save their lives.
William's brother Harry, 26, is serving in the British Army and is training to be an Apache gunship pilot.
The RAF is the largest air force in the EU and the fifth largest in the world, with 1,114 aircraft, around three times the size of the Luftwaffe. Within NATO, only the US has more aircraft (5,573).
William, prince of the Sea Kings: Royal qualifies as search and rescue pilot
By Fay Schlesinger
18th September 2010
Daily Mail
Enlarge
Sea King: Prince William goes through the pre-flight checklist on one of his final flights before qualifying as a fully-fledged search and rescue pilot
It has taken 21 months of intensive training and put any wedding plans he may have had on the back burner.
But Prince William’s career in search and rescue finally began in earnest yesterday, after he graduated as a fully-qualified RAF helicopter co-pilot.
The future king described his ‘absolute love of flying’ as he prepared to start 24-hour shifts flying Sea Kings – and the prospect of dealing with serious injuries and deaths during sea, mountain and flood rescue missions across the UK.
Flight Lieutenant William Wales yesterday joined 22 Squadron, C Flight.
He expects to be based at RAF Valley on Anglesey for a tour lasting up to three years.
He is likely to be posted to the Falklands for one to two months next summer and may also work in Cyprus.
The Prince, 28, said: ‘The training has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force.’
Now that he has completed his course, the Prince will spend several weeks going through ‘acceptance’ – familiarising himself with the terrain that the crew are regularly called out to.
Once he gets into the swing of the job, he will turn his mind to proposing to girlfriend Kate Middleton sources suggested.
‘William has been too busy to think about a wedding,’ said one. ‘Once he’s into the routine he’ll be more free to think about arranging a date.’
As co-pilot, William will mainly be responsible for navigation, fuel planning and radio communication.
Well done: Prince William shaking hands with Wing Commander Steve Bentley, Officer Commanding 22 Squadron ,after graduating today
Proud Prince: William stands today (rear centre) with his graduating class at RAF Valley after successfully completing the final phase of his training
He beamed yesterday as he and six other students accepted certificates and squadron badges from Group Captain Jonathan Dixon.
No guests were invited to the informal ceremony.
Group Captain Dixon said William ‘will merge his royal duties as much as possible’ with his RAF post, despite doing up to ten 24-hour shifts a month.
Ready for take-off: Prince William at the controls of the 4-man Sea King helicopter
Can one get Radio 2 on this? The Sea King boasts state-of-the-art navigation systems and a wide selection of radios
Ready for action: Each squadron maintains a 15-minutes readiness state during daylight hours and a 45-minutes readiness state during the hours of darkness.
He added: ‘He will do everything that is expected of a search and rescue pilot and will undertake as many shifts and reach the same standards.
‘He has fitted in very easily, he has been very low-key. He drops his Royal Highness at the gates to the station and becomes a junior officer.’ Squadron Leader Dave Webster, who has been overseeing William’s training, said: ‘Flight Lieutenant Wales has been very keen to learn, very studious.’
Since getting his wings two years ago, William has flown Squirrel helicopters and Griffins before joining a six-month conversion course to the bigger Sea Kings. Last year C Flight clocked up 322 rescues.
Proud to serve: ' I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force, helping to provide such a vital emergency service.'
dailymail.co.uk
But that is an argument they definitely cannot use when it comes to Prince William.
For, on Friday, the prince graduated as a fully-qualified RAF helicopter co-pilot.
The future King has been training for the past 21 months to become a Sea King co-pilot, a helicopter course which is one of the toughest on the planet.
And, on Friday, Flight Lieutenant William Wales, as he is known in the RAF, joined 22 Squadron, C Flight.
He will now prepare for 24 hour shifts flying the famous yellow choppers and the prospect of dealing with serious injuries and deaths during sea, mountain and flood rescue missions across the UK.
He is expected to be based at RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, north Wales, for the next three years.
The future king, 28, said: ‘The training has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force.’
The prince and six other students accepted certificates and squadron badges from Group Captain Jonathan Dixon on Friday. The group also had their photo taken. No guests were invited to the informal ceremony.
Soon there will be lucky members of the public who will be able to say that a future King helped to save their lives.
William's brother Harry, 26, is serving in the British Army and is training to be an Apache gunship pilot.
The RAF is the largest air force in the EU and the fifth largest in the world, with 1,114 aircraft, around three times the size of the Luftwaffe. Within NATO, only the US has more aircraft (5,573).
William, prince of the Sea Kings: Royal qualifies as search and rescue pilot
By Fay Schlesinger
18th September 2010
Daily Mail
Enlarge
Sea King: Prince William goes through the pre-flight checklist on one of his final flights before qualifying as a fully-fledged search and rescue pilot
It has taken 21 months of intensive training and put any wedding plans he may have had on the back burner.
But Prince William’s career in search and rescue finally began in earnest yesterday, after he graduated as a fully-qualified RAF helicopter co-pilot.
The future king described his ‘absolute love of flying’ as he prepared to start 24-hour shifts flying Sea Kings – and the prospect of dealing with serious injuries and deaths during sea, mountain and flood rescue missions across the UK.
Flight Lieutenant William Wales yesterday joined 22 Squadron, C Flight.
He expects to be based at RAF Valley on Anglesey for a tour lasting up to three years.
He is likely to be posted to the Falklands for one to two months next summer and may also work in Cyprus.
The Prince, 28, said: ‘The training has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force.’
Now that he has completed his course, the Prince will spend several weeks going through ‘acceptance’ – familiarising himself with the terrain that the crew are regularly called out to.
Once he gets into the swing of the job, he will turn his mind to proposing to girlfriend Kate Middleton sources suggested.
‘William has been too busy to think about a wedding,’ said one. ‘Once he’s into the routine he’ll be more free to think about arranging a date.’
As co-pilot, William will mainly be responsible for navigation, fuel planning and radio communication.
Well done: Prince William shaking hands with Wing Commander Steve Bentley, Officer Commanding 22 Squadron ,after graduating today
Proud Prince: William stands today (rear centre) with his graduating class at RAF Valley after successfully completing the final phase of his training
He beamed yesterday as he and six other students accepted certificates and squadron badges from Group Captain Jonathan Dixon.
No guests were invited to the informal ceremony.
Group Captain Dixon said William ‘will merge his royal duties as much as possible’ with his RAF post, despite doing up to ten 24-hour shifts a month.
Ready for take-off: Prince William at the controls of the 4-man Sea King helicopter
Can one get Radio 2 on this? The Sea King boasts state-of-the-art navigation systems and a wide selection of radios
Ready for action: Each squadron maintains a 15-minutes readiness state during daylight hours and a 45-minutes readiness state during the hours of darkness.
He added: ‘He will do everything that is expected of a search and rescue pilot and will undertake as many shifts and reach the same standards.
‘He has fitted in very easily, he has been very low-key. He drops his Royal Highness at the gates to the station and becomes a junior officer.’ Squadron Leader Dave Webster, who has been overseeing William’s training, said: ‘Flight Lieutenant Wales has been very keen to learn, very studious.’
Since getting his wings two years ago, William has flown Squirrel helicopters and Griffins before joining a six-month conversion course to the bigger Sea Kings. Last year C Flight clocked up 322 rescues.
dailymail.co.uk
Last edited: