Prince William to join RAF SAR Sqn........

[Trev Clark]

It has been announced today that Prince William will undergo SAR training and will become an operational SAR pilot (full time) with the RAF!

At one time, this was only open to selected second tour helo pilots, is that still the case? I know being an HRH is worth a bit of weight, but surely someone with about 10 hours rotary wing flying will have to go back to square one (fixed wing?) to actually perform as an operational pilot? Having the 'wings' for show is a bit different to flying SAR in all weathers.

[airboatr]

someone with about 10 hours rotary wing flying ............

and one fine landing in his girlfriends back yard too....

[SkippyBing]

SAR is a first tour option for the RAF, the RN has had a handful as well after we realised we were running short of Sea King crews and that the Merlin pipeline was broken so there were some spare bods waiting around, but it's an exception rather than the rule.
I'd say to legitimately do the job he'd need to at least do all of Shawbury which is about 18 months for the RAF, plus SARTU although I've got no idea how long that takes. The Elementary fixed wing side could potentially be ignored, although the Army have kept it despite various trials to shorten the training pipeline by them.

[RobDob]

At least he'll be able to get a coastguard job come the revolution!

[Trev Clark]

I suppose I forgot about the Sea King (they were new in my day!) using co-pilots. I still think that he would need at least 2 years training before going operational, his service time will be 3 years in total!

Still, its a real PR coup for the RAF, I hope he fairs better than last royal to be a 'full time' RAF officer, the (then) Duke of Kent who perished in a Sunderland crash during WW2!

[Hot_Charlie]

Good on him.

As for the training, from the Beeb article it mentioned he'd be doing 18months "SAR training". I suspect in reality this will be a top up at EFT and the first half of DHFS, the second half of DHFS in toto, then SARTU at Valley - essentially converting his 4 month "mini wings", into real wings!

[Nigel H-J]

Good luck to him, it is a pleasant surprise as usually the Royals seem to favour either the Army or Navy!!

Nice to see one become a potential Biggles: :flying:

Nigel.

[airboatr]

worth < his weight, eh?