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Chiefs defend prince over helicopter flight



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Published Date: 21 April 2008
By Sam Marsden
DEFENCE chiefs yesterday defended allowing Prince William to practise landing a helicopter at his girlfriend Kate Middleton's family home.
It was the second time in five days that the Ministry of Defence had to justify the young royal's actions after a separate incident where he flew himself and his brother to a stag do.

William, 25, who is currently on an attachment with the RAF, to
ok off in a Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham in Hampshire on 3 April.

He touched the aircraft down 16 miles away in a field behind the home of Miss Middleton's parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Aviation analyst Jon Lake described the flight as "ridiculous and inappropriate".

He added: "No other pilot at Prince William's stage of training would be allowed anywhere near the left-hand seat of a Chinook."

In a statement the MoD said practising landings in fields and confined spaces was a "vital part" of training for operations in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. It added: "Helicopter bases continually seek permission from landowners to use their fields and there are only two fields permanently available in Hampshire.

"Opportunities to use alternatives are regularly seized. The sortie on 3 April was fully authorised and planned and was an agreed part of Prince William's attachment to the RAF.

"The aircraft landed in the field, after taking all necessary safety precautions, and was on the ground for 20 seconds.

"No-one got on or off the aircraft. This was very much a routine training sortie that achieved essential training objectives."





The full article contains 261 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 April 2008 9:13 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: The Monarchy
 
1

Guga II,

Rockall 21/04/2008 02:09:04
If these wee parasites want to galavant around the countryside in a helicopter, they should get their father or their granny to buy them one; they can well afford it.

Why should we, the taxpayers, have to fork out for that lot? Why also, should we have to pay for someone who is allegedly in the army, to have so-called flying lessons at the taxpayers expense. Moreover, how many other RAF helicopter pilots are considered to be well enough trained, after 12 weeks, to be allowed to borrow a helicopter to go to a party, and take their brother, with them? Or to land in their current bit of fluff's backyard? How many of them, even properly trained ones, would actually be allowed to borrow a helicopter at all?

Let's hear it for a republic.
2

Guga II,

Rockall 21/04/2008 02:09:35
If these wee parasites want to galavant around the countryside in a helicopter, they should get their father or their granny to buy them one; they can well afford it.

Why should we, the taxpayers, have to fork out for that lot? Why also, should we have to pay for someone who is allegedly in the army, to have so-called flying lessons at the taxpayers expense. Moreover, how many other RAF helicopter pilots are considered to be well enough trained, after 12 weeks, to be allowed to borrow a helicopter to go to a party, and take their brother, with them? Or to land in their current bit of fluff's backyard? How many of them, even properly trained ones, would actually be allowed to borrow a helicopter at all?

Let's hear it for a republic.
3

GalacticCannibal,

Murrieta; . CA.....a place in the Sun 21/04/2008 05:50:40
In a statement the MoD said practising landings in fields and confined spaces was a "vital part" of training for operations in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. It added: "Helicopter bases continually seek permission from landowners to use their field-------------------

-----------------------------------------
Wow Dudes

So this Prince William Dude of Ur's, is practicing to get ready for IRAQ and or Afghanistan.
By landing his chopper in a field near his girl friends home,

And I thought we were weird in California.

Happy Prince Chopper Practice Day

GC

4

Boy Wonder,

21/04/2008 09:01:59
Down With The Monarchy! This is just another of the type of things these parasites do. With their toadying lackeys applauding all their antics,

AWAY WITH THE LOT OF THEM!
5

Nubar Gulbenkian,

21/04/2008 10:12:53
Absolutely disgraceful!

In my young day when a gentleman wished to show his lady friend his chopper, he did so in private.
This Willie person is CLEARLY no gentleman and probably pees while having a bath!
6

Radical Mac,

Kingdom of Fife 21/04/2008 10:53:21
I feel the best thing is that they now join the army and the RAF and Edward made an attempt to be a Marine. A big change from the sailor suit obsession of previous times. Although they can only be dress up servicemen Kings no longer lead their troops into battle nor do prime ministers. They may be in a war zone for a week or two longer than a TA camp. I would like to see them join the Fire Service and Police as well. In victorian times the then Prince of Wales fought fires with Capt. Shaw of the London Fire Brigade. Anyway it keeps up the flying hours as was said. They are only trying to live the lives of ordinary people (Sloane Rangers)also being able to fly and should there be a revolution they can make their own escape. Veteran of the Armed Forces.
7

Steve Evans,

Malta 21/04/2008 11:10:52
I'm sure many a new pilot who had just been been awarded their wings, would just love to drop in on proud relatives, but no way would anyone other than the Royals be allowed. This is a disgrace what with two theatres of war being streached with supplies and equipment that may not work. Heads should roll on this one with a few Court Martials at least. A good start for Williams RAF career!!
8

Alba Abú,

Edinburgh 21/04/2008 13:16:31
It is time that these royal scroungers were given a "jolly good thrashing" and then sent out to do a days work. The time has now come for the people of Scotland to break the connection with these good for nothing layabouts.
9

Royalty,

Zandvoort 21/04/2008 14:13:23
Might have guessed the usual nutters would be on here complaining about our young Prince.

Thankfully defence chiefs have defended young William.

They are a credit to Great Britain.
10

lord john,

borders 21/04/2008 15:52:58
I hope his instructor breathilzes him before taking him up.Boozy nignts in Cornwall, holidays in Switzerland and a supposed pilot in four months.
He should be ashamed to wear wings in the mess.
11

John Blackley,

Florida 21/04/2008 21:26:24
I'm not qualified to ponder the rights and wrongs of what Prince William did. However, I do despair at the political naivety of his commanding officers. Less than one month after the "stag night flight" they allow this young royal to land an RAF helicopter in a field at his girlfriend's house.

Are Prince William's commanding officers so other-worldly (God help us!) that they could not foresee that row that would erupt? Or are they simply so arrogant that they don't care?

 

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