Prince William is a working father! The 32-year-old Duke of Cambridge has taken a job as a helicopter pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The palace announced Thursday that William will complete a mandatory five-month training program for his Air Transport Pilot's license in September and will begin his job as co-pilot in spring 2015, according to People Magazine.
The process will reportedly include 14 exams and a flight test. William - husband to Kate Middleton and father to Prince George - will then be qualified to fly as a helicopter commander, and will be expected to fly both day and night shift.
William's job, which will be based at Cambridge and Norwich Airports, is expected to build his operational experience in the Royal Air Force's search and rescue group. According to the EAAA website, William will join a crew, "called to an average of four incidents per day, [including] life threatening situations such as road traffic accidents and medical emergencies."
The Duke is the first member of his Royal family to be formally employed by Bond Air Services. In a statement, the palace explained that William's salary will be donated "in full" to charity.
"In common with all other East Anglian Air Ambulance pilots, The Duke will be formally employed by Bond Air Services," the palace explained. "He will draw a salary which he will donate in full to charity."
The announcement continued: "This job will be the Duke's primary occupation, but his roster will take into account the duties and responsibilities he will continue to undertake on behalf of The Queen, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The Duke will also continue his work with his patronages and with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry."
Last September, William left the Royal Air Force to focus full-time on his royal duties and charity work. During his time, he undertook more than 150 search-and-rescue operations.
"Having the Duke of Cambridge as one of our pilots is marvelous news as he brings much experience to the charity after his successful career as a search and rescue pilot," Andrew Egerton Smith, EAAA Chairman, said in a written statement, according to People.
