William to transfer to RAF
Champagne anyone...?
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William to transfer to RAF
News on the BBC saying HRH is going to transfer to the RAF "full time" - apparently as a SARboy....
Looks like we can have another ten page thread rambling on about his wings....
Looks like we can have another ten page thread rambling on about his wings....
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OK, I timed that as 8 minutes from the announcement on 5Live until it appeared on PPrune!!
I do recall back in the day when he was a youngster it was reported that he really wanted to be a pilot.
I do recall back in the day when he was a youngster it was reported that he really wanted to be a pilot.
Champagne anyone...?
Thread Starter
5Live? Dear god man....
Still, 2 minutes to first reply from person checking/commenting on how long it took a news story to get on Pprune. Not sure which is worse...
Still, 2 minutes to first reply from person checking/commenting on how long it took a news story to get on Pprune. Not sure which is worse...
) but I thought we had sold the SAR force along with the family silver?
...neat solution, as will keep him in the UK out of harms way I assume, whilst fulfilling a worthwhile and challenging operational role that could well put him in the public eye.
No reason why he shouldn't go down South though!!??
No reason why he shouldn't go down South though!!??
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It sounds as though he will be doing the full rotary course a Shawbury. The BBC has spoken about 18 months from starting training to getting to a SAR flight. Just in time for a tour before the introduction of SARH.
I think it's fair enough if he completes Shawbury, SARTU and the OCU. What's the betting he isn't posted to Wattisham!!
I think it's fair enough if he completes Shawbury, SARTU and the OCU. What's the betting he isn't posted to Wattisham!!
Its good to see him wanting to do his bit. But I hope the fact that he has decided he wants SAR does not prevent someone who has been doing the 'real' operational work (chinnys, pumas, merlins) from getting a respite tour on SAR.
Only problem is that any number of moist slappers will now try to find out where the lad is based, then throw themselves off mountains, or into the sea on a lilo....
"One day, my Prince will come.....
...and then make me do likewise!", they will hope!
"One day, my Prince will come.....
...and then make me do likewise!", they will hope!
It's a welcome development in RAF recruiting policy. The fact that a youngster can now nominate his chosen role before training means that the RAF will now be able to attract the best of the peaceniks, wheezy kids, etc. who may have moral or medical difficulties with becoming glass chewing warrior types.....
This is forward-looking stuff. The keen airline wannabe will be able to sign up for a short service commission on the Shiny fleet, while those with a bent for instructing will be able to decide at OASC that they'll be a creamie on whatever type they choose.
My only concern is to how the Air Force will fulfill the less popular slots. Who will be nominating themselves for the Falklands, etc.?
I'm also a bit concerned as to why it will take the bloke 18 months to get to a SAR flight. He has wings, after all, and had reached a sufficiently advanced stage to be doing legitimate land away training sorties in the Chinook. Surely conversion to the Sea King doesn't take that long?
What's that you say? But I've never heard of 'honorary wings' and that's NOT what they said when he was awarded them......
This is forward-looking stuff. The keen airline wannabe will be able to sign up for a short service commission on the Shiny fleet, while those with a bent for instructing will be able to decide at OASC that they'll be a creamie on whatever type they choose.
My only concern is to how the Air Force will fulfill the less popular slots. Who will be nominating themselves for the Falklands, etc.?
I'm also a bit concerned as to why it will take the bloke 18 months to get to a SAR flight. He has wings, after all, and had reached a sufficiently advanced stage to be doing legitimate land away training sorties in the Chinook. Surely conversion to the Sea King doesn't take that long?
What's that you say? But I've never heard of 'honorary wings' and that's NOT what they said when he was awarded them......
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How does one get onto this fast track wings course - 4 years down to 4 months seems a good deal.
I am not military and never have been, but do know a few that have made it and a few that haven't. I am assuming that HRH will have to meet the same standards as everyone else, in the same number of attempts and timeframe as everyone else or will be given the proverbial axe. Mind you, it isn't like people's lives are at stake or anything...............
I have respect for the Royal Family and what they do, but sometimes such announcements do make you wonder
I am not military and never have been, but do know a few that have made it and a few that haven't. I am assuming that HRH will have to meet the same standards as everyone else, in the same number of attempts and timeframe as everyone else or will be given the proverbial axe. Mind you, it isn't like people's lives are at stake or anything...............
I have respect for the Royal Family and what they do, but sometimes such announcements do make you wonder
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Torygraph: Prince William to become pilot in RAF search and rescue service
Prince William is to become a full-time pilot with the RAF's Search and Rescue Force.
The surprise announcement from Clarence House ends the speculation that Prince William would leave the military next year to become a full-time working Royal.
In his new role, which requires an 18-month training period, he will fly Sea King helicopters. He will be attached to the air search and rescue team for a minimum 30 month period which means he will be at least 31 before he will even consider returning to civilian life.
The young prince first experienced the work of the Search and Rescue Force in December 2005 when he spent two weeks on work experience at RAF Valley in Wales. When he has completed his training he will be required to take part in hazardous rescue operations winching people to safety from cliffs, boats and open water.
Prince William will start his training with the rank of Flying Officer having been commissioned into the RAF in January 2008. He will transfer his service from the Army, in which he currently serves as Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, to the RAF. He is the first member of the Royal Family to work for the RAF Search and Rescue force.
Prince William, who loves flying, had been frustrated that he could not spend time in Afghanistan, like Prince Harry, because he is a future King.
In a statement, Prince William said: "It has been a real privilege to have spent the past year understanding and experiencing all aspects of the British Armed Forces. I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally - especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year with D Squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment."
"The time I spent with the RAF earlier this year made me realise how much I love flying. Joining Search and Rescue is a perfect opportunity for me to serve in the Forces operationally, while contributing to a vital part of the country's emergency services."
The future King, an officer in the Household Cavalry, has spent much of the last 12 months on attachment with the RAF and the Royal Navy.
In the next few weeks he will become the first member of the Royal family to spend time with the elite SAS. He will also spend time with the Special Boat Squadron, the sister regiment of the SAS, and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment. He will spend up to six weeks with the Special Services as part of his training across all branches of the military in preparation for when, as king, he will be the head of the Armed Forces.
Prince William learnt to fly this year and he was presented with his wings by the Prince of Wales. The Duke of York flew helicopters in the Royal Navy.
Prince William is to become a full-time pilot with the RAF's Search and Rescue Force.
The surprise announcement from Clarence House ends the speculation that Prince William would leave the military next year to become a full-time working Royal.
In his new role, which requires an 18-month training period, he will fly Sea King helicopters. He will be attached to the air search and rescue team for a minimum 30 month period which means he will be at least 31 before he will even consider returning to civilian life.
The young prince first experienced the work of the Search and Rescue Force in December 2005 when he spent two weeks on work experience at RAF Valley in Wales. When he has completed his training he will be required to take part in hazardous rescue operations winching people to safety from cliffs, boats and open water.
Prince William will start his training with the rank of Flying Officer having been commissioned into the RAF in January 2008. He will transfer his service from the Army, in which he currently serves as Lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, to the RAF. He is the first member of the Royal Family to work for the RAF Search and Rescue force.
Prince William, who loves flying, had been frustrated that he could not spend time in Afghanistan, like Prince Harry, because he is a future King.
In a statement, Prince William said: "It has been a real privilege to have spent the past year understanding and experiencing all aspects of the British Armed Forces. I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally - especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year with D Squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment."
"The time I spent with the RAF earlier this year made me realise how much I love flying. Joining Search and Rescue is a perfect opportunity for me to serve in the Forces operationally, while contributing to a vital part of the country's emergency services."
The future King, an officer in the Household Cavalry, has spent much of the last 12 months on attachment with the RAF and the Royal Navy.
In the next few weeks he will become the first member of the Royal family to spend time with the elite SAS. He will also spend time with the Special Boat Squadron, the sister regiment of the SAS, and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment. He will spend up to six weeks with the Special Services as part of his training across all branches of the military in preparation for when, as king, he will be the head of the Armed Forces.
Prince William learnt to fly this year and he was presented with his wings by the Prince of Wales. The Duke of York flew helicopters in the Royal Navy.
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What about the Protection guys - will they have a seat in the back of the cab and get paid overtime for sitting in the crewroom 
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If the guy makes the grade okay and goes on to do the job, then well done to him - and well done to the RAF for recognising the possible PR value in all this. Cut him a little slack, it's nice that he actually wants to do something sensible...
Pray to heaven that the 'popping down the girlfriend's place' type of faux pas is a thing of the past, of course.
Personally I think he should have become a pilot on the Queen's flight - bodyguard issues then recede (they'd already be there for the pax) and he could avoid the need for duty visits to gran etc by simply arranging to fly her whenever it's been a while since they last had a chin wag.
Dave
Pray to heaven that the 'popping down the girlfriend's place' type of faux pas is a thing of the past, of course.
Personally I think he should have become a pilot on the Queen's flight - bodyguard issues then recede (they'd already be there for the pax) and he could avoid the need for duty visits to gran etc by simply arranging to fly her whenever it's been a while since they last had a chin wag.
Dave