Prince William Will Need More Flying Hours To Become Full Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot; Begins Work As Co-Pilot For East Anglian Air Ambulance

After completing training as an air ambulance helicopter pilot, Prince William started his new job with East Anglian Air Ambulance Monday. The prince joined the EAAA team as a co-pilot, needing more flying hours before moving to a full pilot position, the Daily Mail reported.

Prince William started his first shift at 7 a.m., London time, at the Cambridge Airport. The Duke of Cambridge will work 9 1/2 hour shifts as part of a four day work week. His shifts will only be two-thirds the normal pattern to allow for royal duties although during his first few months, the royal is expected to complete a full rota: four days of work, followed by four days off.

The duke will join a close-knit crew who will be on call to respond to various emergencies such as traffic accidents and cardiac arrests. The EAAA team is also expected to arrive on scene within 25 minutes of receiving a call. There are also instances when air ambulance helicopter pilots are required to land their craft in unexpected locations such as car park, on the beach, middle of the road and even residential gardens, which is why EAAA's Jeremy Mauger told the Daily Mail Sunday their helicopter pilots are the best, and they are looking forward to working with the duke.

Diana Jakubowska, EAAA head of communications, told the Telegraph some of Prince William’s colleagues were anxious working alongside the royal but added those who already have met him are not worried, saying the duke is “very easy to work with.”

If William’s EAAA colleagues were nervous, the young prince was also anxious about his first day, BBC reported. Prince William told reporters at the Cambridge airport although he was “feeling the nerves,” he was “looking forward to getting started.”

In April, Prince William took unpaid leave to take care of newborn daughter Princess Charlotte and wife Princess Kate. The duke also attended to several royal duties including the annual “Trooping the Colors” ceremony. Prince William and Princess Kate celebrated the christening of their daughter at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene July 5.