Prince Harry Hopes To Be Helicopter Pilot

Prince Harry hopes to follow in his older brother and uncle’s footsteps, and become a helicopter pilot in the British military. If he gets the chance, Harry may be able to serve in the military as he did earlier this year when he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Harry is to attend a four-week “grading” next month to determine whether he is suitable for the Army Air Corps helicopter pilot training course, his Clarence House office said.

If Harry is successful and is accepted for the training, it could take up to two-and-a-half years to complete the course and learn to fly Gazelle, Lynx or Apache helicopters.

Harry, 23, already has passed the initial aptitude tests, the statement said.

“I’m impressed by the fact that Prince Harry has put himself forward for this,” defence analyst Paul Beaver said. “This is a difficult job.

“The training is difficult, the rate of failure is between 50 and 60 per cent – so there’s an opportunity here for embarrassment. However, he’s got the guts to say, ‘I’m going to do it.’ “

His older brother, Prince William, already has been trained in flying and landing Apache helicopters. The heir to the British throne will be begin training to be a rescue pilot in the Royal Navy next year.

The princes’ uncle, Andrew, Duke of York, flew a Sea King helicopter during the Falklands War for the Royal Navy.

Their father, Prince Charles, also qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974, and flew missions from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.

Clarence House said Harry, third in line to the British throne, chose to try out for the helicopter unit because his tour of duty as a troop leader with the Household Cavalry is finished.

Harry is a second lieutenant with the Blues and Royals Regiment.

Since secretly serving in Afghanistan for 10 weeks earlier this year, Prince Harry has been trying to get redeployed, saying he feels there is still work to be done in Afghanistan. But for security issues, that dream has not come true.