VIDEO: What will Prince William do in his new job as an air ambulance pilot?

The Duke of Cambridge has started his new job as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), but what exactly will the role entail?
Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.
Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.

He will be a co-pilot alongside a pilot and two medics employed by Bond Air Services working for the EAAA based at Cambridge Airport. They will be responding to 999 emergencies across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk,

Suffolk and Bedfordshire.

What are his qualifications?

Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.
Prince William, pictured left with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, at Harewood House during the 2014 Tour de France.

William is a former RAF search and rescue pilot qualified to captain or pilot a Sea King helicopter.

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He has undergone a civilian pilot’s course as well as training in the specifics of the EC135 and EC145 helicopters

used by the charity and 999 response training.

What hours will he work?

He will work either a 7am to 4.30pm or 4.30pm to midnight shift, on a four days on/four off basis.

Because of his royal duties, William is expected to work about two-thirds of the shifts normally worked by pilots.

However, in the early months of the role, he is understood to have a full roster as he settles in.

What are his duties?

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William will be responsible for helping to navigate and fly the helicopter to emergency scenes, ranging from road collisions, cardiac arrests and sporting injuries.

The helicopters carry medics who can dispense care at the scene and can transport patients to hospital.

He will also be expected to carry out safety checks and ensure the helicopter is ready to deploy at all times.

Will he be paid?

He will be paid a salary but will donate this in full to charity.

What exactly does the EAAA do?

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The EAAA is a charity which must raise £8.6 million each year to support its operation.

It works alongside the East of England Ambulance Service, providing cover across four counties.

Its medical crews can administer life-saving treatment at the scene of emergencies or while in the air.

The helicopters can reach patients anywhere in the region within 25 minutes and can often transport patients to hospital more quickly than if they travelled by road.

More information about the charity is available at www.eaaa.org.uk