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Upon passing and completion, he will join the East Anglian Air
Ambulance based at Cambridge Airport next spring.
The new role will be his main job, although it will be taken into
account the duties and responsibilities he will continue to assume
on behalf of the Queen.
The salary that The Duke receives will be donated to charity.
Mr Peal added: “This is really good news for the charity and we’re
delighted His Highness has decided to fly with us. We are confident
this will help raise the profile of the charity and other air
ambulance charities in the region and across the UK,” Patrick Peal,
chief executive of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA)
commented.
Mr Peal added: “We’re very fortunate that we currently enjoy
tremendous levels of support but fundraising is always a challenge
– we’re looking to raise £7.5 million a year to continue the
lifesaving work – and I’m sure that this will help to raise the
profile of the charity.”
William, who is experienced and able to be a captain or pilot of a
Sea King helicopter, has been rumoured to take on this position. It
was last September that he ended active service as a RAF Search and
Rescue pilot.
The position entails flying an EC145 T2 aircraft. The job will have
him working with medics to respond to emergencies, flying missions
in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.
William will fly with a doctor and medic on the emergency
missions.
“He’s an extraordinary person and it’s just great that he wants to
come and do something like this and fly with a charity like the air
ambulance,” Alastair Wilson, the charity’s medical director
noted.
He continued: “Compared to his role as a search and rescue pilot,
he may be dealing with more injury patients than he is used to, but
I’m sure he will adapt very well to that.”
The EAAA presently operates two helicopters and employs three
pilots in Norwich and three in Cambridge.
Prior to beginning the new position, William must complete the
requirements for an air transport licence as well as training
specified for his new role.
The training lasts 5 months and comprises 14 exams and a flight
test.
At first he will work as a co-pilot until completion of training
which will then see William as a helicopter commander.
A palace spokesman said: “The job will build on the Duke’s
operational experience in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue
force. During this time he undertook more than 150 search and
rescue operations.”
According to Kensington Palace, William will sign an employment
contract with a civilian employer (Bond Air Services) and is
believed to be the first Member of the Royal Family in direct
succession to do so.
The Duke of Cambridge started his full-time military duties as an
Officer Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in January
2006. He commissioned into the Household Cavalry in December 2006.
He became a Lieutenant in The Blues and Royals before transferring
his commission to the Royal Air Force.
Photo Credit: Defence Images via photopin cc]]>
