Wanted: helicopter pilot for the Queen

The job of 'aircraft captain' for the Queen is being advertised on the British Monarchy website
 
The Queen is hunting for a £78,500-a-year helicopter pilot, twice as much as the Duke of Cambridge is expected to be paid when he returns to the skies.

The job of “aircraft captain” is being advertised on the British Monarchy website and the successful applicant should have “VVIP” experience.

Apart from the Duke, who was a search-and-rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Wales, his father, the Prince of Wales, brother Prince Harry and uncle the Duke of York are all qualified helicopter pilots.

The Duke will this month begin training for a new job as an air ambulance pilot operating in East Anglia.

He will reportedly earn around £40,000 a year. Kensington Palace has said he would donate his post-tax salary - estimated to be in the region of £30,155 per year - in full to an as yet undisclosed charity.

Based at Odiham, Hampshire, the successful applicant for the royal post “must be willing to undertake regular travel across the UK and overnight as necessary, have a flexible approach and be willing to take on duties and activities outside your normal responsibilities,” says the advert.

It adds: “The Queen’s Helicopter Flight consists of a small team of pilots and ground support personnel operating a privately operated Sikorsky S76 helicopter and an Agusta Westland 109S.

“As the aircraft captain, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient execution of the flight in accordance with standard procedures.”

The advert adds that “corporate/VVIP experience are highly desirable”, and applications close September 25.

- Source:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk