William Set To Train As Air Ambulance Pilot

Prince William has started work with the company operating the East Anglian Air Ambulance - and will fly rescue missions this summer.

William, a former RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, has begun work at Bond Air Services, which runs air ambulance operations in the UK.

Kensington Palace said in a short statement: "The Duke of Cambridge has today started work as an employee of Bond Air Services.

"Over the coming months he will undertake job-specific training before he begins piloting missions for East Anglian Air Ambulance during the summer.

"The mandatory training will involve simulator, aircraft and in-flight skills training."

William has begun work a few weeks ahead of the birth of his second child and is likely to take paternity leave.

A spokesman for Bond Air Services would not discuss the length of the leave the Duke could receive.

But he added: "Like other pilots, he will be entitled to paternity leave.

"He has come to do a job as a professional, a pilot, and we're very happy he's going to be a pilot."

The Duke is likely to operate out of East Anglian Air Ambulance's base at Cambridge Airport.

He is due to take the controls of a new EC145 T2 helicopter which will go into service in April and provide greater speed, endurance and capacity.

William will be the pilot and work with a co-pilot, a specially trained critical care paramedic and a senior medic.

The senior medic is usually a consultant who specialises in intensive care, anaesthesia or trauma.

The air ambulance is a charity and its crews based at Cambridge work 10-hour shifts, either early or late.

William will initially be attending lessons in a ground school but will also have specific training on the aircraft he will eventually fly.

Training will last from four to 12 weeks, depending on experience.