Today The Duke of Cambridge once more took over the controls of the a helicopter, as he visited the London Air Ambulance to mark their 30th birthday.
Prince William left his job as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia back in July 2017, and was ‘happy’ to have a go in the aircraft.
The Duke flew from Kensington Palace for approximately 25 minutes, before landing the helicopter at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.
? The Duke of Cambridge, #30YearsSavingLives Patron, visited Royal London Hospital to learn more about the challenges @LDNairamb face in their life saving work as a first responder in the capital. pic.twitter.com/90DTp9vV8u
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 9, 2019
Neil Jeffers, the LAA’s service’s chief pilot,, said: “We put him in the right seat, the captain’s seat of the aircraft. He has only flown the aircraft a couple of times but was happy to fly it – so he did all the flying from the palace.”
“The journey would normally take us four minutes but lasted twenty five as we saw some of the sights and talked about the unique issues working in London. As a pilot it is a very built up city with specific air traffic control issues.”
This was apparently the first time, the prince said, he has flown since June.
The Duke of Cambridge has been named a patron of the charity’s 30th anniversary campaign, which hopes to highlight the vital work the air ambulance charity does and raise financial support.
Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are delighted that The Duke of Cambridge has accepted the role of Patron of the London’s Air Ambulance 30th Anniversary Campaign.
The visit came on his wife Catherine’s birthday; today, the Duchess is 37. William joked as he was given a card for her: “I did remember this morning – so I was OK.”
The card came from the children of Yair Shaahar, who received care from the LAA after he was knocked off his bicycle in Enfield in 2016.
Part of the visit saw the Royal meet with clinicians, paramedics, pilots and members of the ambulance service, to learn more about the role and the challenges it brings, working as a first responder in London.
William was shown a demonstration of how paramedics would deal with a stab victim, an issue that has concerned many in the capital in recent months.
The future King said afterwards: “The London Air Ambulance plays a critical role in saving lives. Its successes over the last 30 years have been the result of the hard work, dedication and skill of those that work on the frontline and behind the scenes in often traumatic and stressful situations.
“I hope to shine a light on the incredible work the charity undertakes on a daily basis, as well as the importance of championing positive mental health and wellbeing among first responders.”
The duke of cambridge chats to members of the air ambulance crew (kensington palace)
Featured image from Kensington Palace still
1 comment
At the occasion of commemorating 30th anniversary, it must have been a great honor to have prince william, the duke of cambridge as patron of london air ambulance, i think.