Prince William's Flight Training Takes Off

'King in Waiting', Prince William is today taking the first steps toward being someone for loyal subjects to really 'look up to' by starting his flight training with the RAF.

Appropriate to the kind of skills needed to rule these days he is first learning to do 'loop the loop' in a light plane.

The leading royal is on a four-month attachment with the RAF as he prepares for his future as king and head of the Armed Forces.

He has started lessons flying a propellor-driven GROB 115E plane, known as the Tutor, with Squadron Leader Roger Bousfield as his instructor.

As part of the prince's training, he will be taught how to perform acrobatic stunts in the plane.

Mr Bousfield said today: "The first thing is to familiarise Flying Officer Wales with the plane, get him used to the controls and what they can do and very quickly we will go into acrobatics; looping the loop is one of the fun things we'll be doing.

"He will have to get to the stage when he's in control of the plane but not thinking about flying so he can handle things like emergencies."

Mr Bousfield said William will have to quickly learn a range of skills to pass the intensive course.

He said: "Students need to have good hand-eye co-ordination, confidence - if you're a bit shy you probably wouldn't be selected - decision making skills and 'captaincy' - being able to cope with things, react well and react quickly."

The prince has already passed an intensive aptitude exam involving a rigorous six-hour computer-based test.

He has also passed a medical exam even though he is required to wear glasses to meet the minimum standard.

If William passes his initial training on the Tutor he will move to RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire to learn how to fly the faster Tucano T1 plane.

The prince's final training placement will be at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire where he will learn to fly the Squirrel HT 1 helicopter.

(BMcC)