William takes charge as he seeks to earn his wings

Published on Monday 7 January 2008 21:30

PRINCE William took control of a light aircraft yesterday when he began an intensive RAF course to learn how to fly.

The young royal is fulfilling a long-held ambition and will be following in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who earned his wings more than 35 years ago.

The training is part of a four-month attachment with the RAF to help William, 25, get to grips with the service's ethos, traditions and military role as he prepares to, one day, head the armed forces.

The prince, an officer with the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, joined a class of 11 students at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

He is a second lieutenant and a trained troop commander in charge of armoured Scimitar vehicles. During his placement, however, he will be known as Flying Officer William Wales – equivalent to his army rank – and wear an RAF uniform.

Group Captain Nick Seward, Commandant of the Central Flying School at Cranwell, said of the prince's training:

"This will be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the Royal Air Force."