PRINCE William will be coming to RAF Linton-on-Ouse next week to learn how to fly.

The RAF today confirmed what The Press revealed exclusively in October.

During the 25-year-old prince's training he will be known as Flying Officer Wales.

In total, the heir to the throne will spend four months with the RAF but not all of that time will be at RAF Linton.

He will undergo an intense tailor-made course - codenamed Operation Golden Kestrel - to prepare him as future King and head of the Armed Forces.

The Prince's training begins on Monday at RAF Cranwell, near Lincoln, where instructors say he is expected to go solo on the Grob Tutor aircraft within a fortnight.

He will then move on to the air base near York where he will train on the Tucano - a faster and more capable aircraft - which is the lead-in trainer for all RAF fast-jet pilots.

But the Ministry of Defence is refusing to say when, citing security reasons.

Squadron Leader Kev Marsh, who is the Golden Kestrel project officer, said: "Prince William has understood that he hasn't got the time to have a full-time career in any of the three forces, so we have taken the lead from what Prince Charles did by giving him the chance to learn about all three services.

"He has expressed a personal interest to fly, but we are not teaching him to be an operational pilot.

"We are teaching him to be a competent pilot for his future roles. There are no plans for William to fly front-line aircraft in an operational role, so we have cut out anything not needed for his role."

RAF Linton-on-Ouse has about 250 military staff on site and provides initial fast jet training for RAF and Royal Navy pilots, who then complete their training at RAF Valley in Anglesey.

The Prince has already spent a year in the Blues And Royals, one of two regiments that form the Household Cavalry.

During his time with the regiment he passed a specialist armoured reconnaissance troop leaders course.

He also commanded a troop of four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, crewed by 12 men.

Prince Charles earned his "wings" in 1971 when he trained to fly jets at RAF Cranwell.


'Prince William will learn to do aerobatics and low-level flying. I am sure he will enjoy his time on the Tucano'

WHILE at RAF Linton-on-Ouse the Prince will be taught to fly the Tucano by Flight Lieutenant Robbie Lees.

The former Puma helicopter pilot, who has seen active service in Iraq, said that to be chosen as the future King's instructor is a "great privilege" but that the Prince will have to be committed.

Flt Lt Lees, who serves with 72 Squadron, said: "Learning to be an RAF pilot is hard work. To succeed, a student must be determined and flexible, with the ability to build on earlier training.

"Prince William will learn to do aerobatics and low-level flying with me and I am sure he will enjoy his time on the Tucano."

The turbo-prop aircraft is a high-performance trainer, but William could go solo in it after only ten flying hours.

He added: "The feeling you get on your first solo is amazing. It is a real milestone. To be chosen for this role is a great privilege and I will be proud to teach him what I know. It will be hands-on and I would expect the Prince to get to the stage where he's not even thinking about flying. I hope he will get the most benefit for his front-line attachments."

During his time at RAF Linton, the Prince can be expected to be treated like any other recruit, with none of the privileges normally afforded his position.

Group Captain Nick Seward, of RAF Cranwell, told a press conference: "The Prince will be treated like any other junior officer and will be expected to fully integrate both at work and socially. Like any other trainee he will be under pressure, and will not be given preferential treatment."

William will work a five-day week, beginning each day at 8am. He can expect to put in between nine and 14 hours daily. During his four months training he will also experience some of the RAF's state-of-the-art fighters. This would presumably include the Typhoon - formerly known as the Eurofighter - which is the RAF's newest and most advanced fighter plane and, possibly, the Harrier jump jet.

Once he has earned his "wings" they will be presented at a ceremony at RAF Cranwell.