Prince William to Start as Pilot for Air Ambulance Helicopter

Britain’s Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, is to start work as an air ambulance helicopter pilot next year, his office said on Thursday. William will be based at Cambridge and Norwich Airports in eastern England, flying both day and night shifts, his office said in a statement. Starting as co-pilot, he can qualify as a helicopter commander after a minimum of five months training, ending in 14 examinations and a flight test.

Previously William was a search and rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force and took part in over 150 search and rescue operations.

Training will start in September and will be a formal employee of Bond Air Services following qualification, making him the first member of the royal family in the direct line of succession to sign an employment contract with a civilian employer, his office said. The Duke of Cambridge, as he is formally titled, will draw a salary, which he will donate to charity. He will continue to perform his royal responsibilities.

Denisha Sahadevan