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Prince Harry flies high after failing his pilot's theory test
Sri Carmichael, Consumer Affairs Reporter17.02.09
PRINCE Harry has taken the controls of a training aircraft for the first time during his pilot training - days after failing his theory exams.
Harry, 24, grinned and shared a joke with his instructor after a session piloting a Slingsby Firefly at RAF Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire.
The prince is a few weeks into a two-year course to become a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps at nearby RAF Cranwell.
He is likely to return to the front line in Afghanistan if he passes.
A royal insider said today: "This is a real milestone for Harry. He has flown a Slingsby during his grading but this is the first time he has done so during real training. He'll be delighted."
Harry is understood to have failed his first pilot theory test last week, but Army chiefs are giving him extra tuition to make sure he passes at his second attempt.
They are also sending him on an equality and diversity course as a disciplinary procedure following weeks of negative headlines about his alleged racist comments. Harry apologised for remarks about an Army cadet from Pakistan on camera three years ago. Comedian Stephen K Amos then revealed the prince had told him he did not "sound like a black chap".
Harry hopes to fly an Apache attack helicopter on the front line, but may be given a reconnaissance Lynx or Gazelle helicopter depending on how well he performs.
He spent 10 weeks in Afghanistan last year as a forward air controller in Helmand province, guiding fighter jets towards suspected Taliban targets. He was secretly serving under a news blackout but was forced to return home last February after a website revealed his deployment.
Prince William is also training to be a helicopter pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force.
Reader views (9)
He shouldn't be left in charge of a bicycle let alone a plane.
- Les, Middlesbrough, UK
Didn't take long for the snide commentors to come out of the woodwork, did it!
Many fail the theory exams initially and get further tuition. It isn't exactly easy. It's only mentioned as 'news' in the Prince's case because it can be milked for a story that elicits comments like these. And just for the record - you don't get many secondary education types piloting any kind of aircraft - there's a lot of toffs amongst the pilots though. Get over it!
- Rogan, Irving
Hands up who'd knowingly fly in a commercial airliner if Hooray Harry was the pilot...even if he ( as he surely will ) does pass his test?
- Jargonaut, Cardiff
Sandy, Ealing, UK
I take it that you think the troops in the front lines in Helmand are just playing around since you think it is "Playboy" activity.
Did you know, or care, that Harry has been in the thick of that action directing airstrikes
- Minnie Ovens, London, UK
Harry may well achieve a pass eventually but I wonder how much time and effort it will take to turn him into a military pilot.
Why didn't he go away some where quite and learn to fly at his expense.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England
It makes me sick hearing about these so called "Royals" being allowed to use the Services as a flying club. William flits from uniform to uniform depending on whatever publicity is required. If he were dedicated, he would just wear the RAF blue. Harry is just a playboy looking for excitement. All this "serve the nation" stuff is tosh. What's more, it is well recognised that men in their mid-twenties who come late to flying usually struggle. These two will almost certainly have to be carried.
- Sandy, Ealing, UK
The apple doth not fall far from the tree eh?
Flying requires avg intelligence.
Maybe infantry is still an option for the lad?
- Trunk, US
No problem, I can assure you Harry will pass with flying (no pun intended) colours very soon. The establishment will make sure of it, whether he understands any theory or not. What's the point of pretending?
- Daniel, London
Harry, given priority over someone who no doubt could pass his exams with ease. Lets give people these coverted positions in our armed forces to people who are capable of doing them not by birth right.
- Terence Harrington, Canterybury, UK
