Prince William graduates as RAF pilot

Prince William has graduated as a Search and Rescue Force helicopter pilot and has described his delight at completing the "challenging" course.

The second-in-line to the throne will join 22 Squadron, C Flight as a fully operational co-pilot in a Sea King Mk3 helicopter now he has completed his flying training.

The royal, who will be based at RAF Valley on Anglesey, said: "I am really delighted to have completed the training course with my fellow students.

"The course has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love flying, so it will be an honour to serve operationally with the Search and Rescue Force, helping to provide such a vital emergency service."

The 28-year-old prince has spent the last 18 months on a number of flying courses progressing from Squirrel helicopters to Griffins and finally spending much of the year at the controls of Sea Kings on an operational conversion unit to prepare him for his new role.

At RAF Valley on Friday Flight Lieutenant Wales and six fellow students will be presented with a certificate and a Search and Rescue Force badge by the unit's Commander, Group Captain Jonathan Dixon.

It will be a number of weeks before the royal embarks on his first 24-hour shift as he will have to undergo "acceptance" - learning the terrain and landing sites crews are regularly called out to by flying to the places during day and night exercises.

It is not known how long William will be based at RAF Valley but a typical tour for a pilot on the Search and Rescue Force lasts from 30 to 36 months.

Flight Lieutenant Wales can expect to be promoted to captain and overall control of the helicopter in the coming years, but how quickly will depend on his ability and performance.

William could also find himself flying rescue missions to Northern Ireland as RAF Valley in North Wales routinely responds to calls from Ulster.