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From The Times
January 18, 2008

Prince William conquers his fears for surprise first solo flight

Squadron Leader Roger Bousfield decided that Prince William was ready to fly solo
Michael Evans, Defence Editor

Prince William took his life in his hands yesterday by flying solo in a light aircraft after his RAF instructor decided he was ready to take to the skies without him.

The 25-year-old Prince admitted, after returning safely to land, that he had been “amazed” when Squadron Leader Roger Bousfield jumped out of the seat next to him in the propellor-driven Grob 115E, known as the Tutor, and declared that his solo moment had arrived.

Prince William, who is doing four months’ training with the RAF, had completed a few circuits around the airfield at RAF Cranwell, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, with Squadron Leader Bousfield, 36, by his side. But when he landed the Tutor, his instructor made an unexpected move.

“Roger, my instructor, basically, turned round and said, ‘Right, I’m going to jump out now’. I said, ‘What? Where are you going?’ He said, ‘You are going on your own’, and I said, ‘There’s no way I’m going to do that’. But he said I was ready for it and jumped out,” Prince William recalled.

“The next thing I knew I was taxiing down the runway and I was sitting there saying, ‘Oh my God, this is a bit odd, there’s no one in here’.”

Prince William, who, before joining the RAF, served with the Army as Lieutenant Wales, a troop commander with The Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry, added: “God knows how somebody trusted me with an aircraft and my own life. It was an amazing feeling, I couldn’t believe it.

Once I’d taken off, it was fine. You just remember your checks and do all the things you’ve got to do and fly the circuit. Then I was watching the runway getting closer and thinking, ‘Please, please don’t mess this up.”

Next month he tackles the Tucano, the aircraft that RAF pilots must master before choosing whether to become a jet flyer or a multi-engine aircraft pilot. He will also learn to fly a Squirrel helicopter.

Well done Sir. Clealry experience as a Tank commander in the Blues and Royals has helped in this. Being used to fairly high tech euipment and self confidence gained thereby helps. The Grob is a much more civilised aircraft than the Tiger Moth I soloed in .

John Prendergast, Stafford,

Well, Jake he obviously is different or you wouldn't be bothered to write about it.
It doesn't matter who you are, flying solo for the first time is nerve wracking, - so, well done Sir, you continue to do your parents and country proud, and me proud to be English. Blue skies to you.

Su, Dallas, Texas, USA

What ho, what? Good job, young man! I was younger than than you when I took my first solo into the blue, this when I still had an Afghani Mauser round lodged in my arm. My batman said 'don't do it, sir.' I replied that I would teach those blighters a thing or two. And then back to the airfield for a dose of morphine and a few tots of Scotland's finest, with a pretty nurse tending my wound. What? God be with you, Sir.

Smedley Rathbone, New York City, New York/USA

jake from London, He's different because he neither had to pay, or agree to fight in any wars.

JonB, glasgow, UK

So many people fly solo for the first time how is he any different.

jake, London,

Congratulations to the young Man! Be he a Prince, or an ordinary young person who has chosen to enter the RAF, as an ex serviceman, in the RAF, I know how much courage--and ability it took, to do that first solo flight! To do so after such a short time too, is extraordinary; very well done Sir!

george mower, brighton, sussex

I think he should fly amongst everybody else and not have the sky cleared for him!!!

Anonymous, lincolnshire,

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