Prince William saving sailors before completing pilot training
August 3rd, 2009 - 1:07 pm ICT by ANI
London, Aug 3 (ANI): Even before completing his chopper pilot training, Prince William is flying real-life rescue missions with RAF helicopters to save stricken sailors off the Welsh coast.
The Royal has been on a two-week posting at RAF Valley search and rescue base.
And the 27-year-old prince has been an observer on at least one emergency shout, and has joined crews on other call-outs.
Williams is not yet fully qualified as a chopper pilot, and is, thus, not allowed to take the controls or assist in the rescue attempts.
However, he is picking up valuable tips during the posting.
“He’s very keen and a quick learner. His flying skills are coming on and he has all the makings of a first-rate pilot,” the Daily Star quoted one RAF source as saying.
Williams will return to RAF Shawbury later this month to continue his pilot training.
And then, he will be transferred to the 203 Squadron base on Anglesey to train full-time on rescue copters like Sea Kings.
“He’s on Anglesey for two weeks before returning to RAF Shawbury. We can’t discuss details of what he’s doing while he’s there but it’s part of his training,” said an RAF spokeswoman. (ANI)
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Tags: anglesey, chopper pilot, copters, daily star, full time, helicopters, old prince, pilot training, prince william, raf shawbury, raf valley, rescue missions, sailors, sea kings, search and rescue, shout, spokeswoman, squadron, valley search, welsh coast