Queen advertises for a ‘proactive and flexible’ helicopter pilot to ferry royal family members

The Queen is seeking a ‘proactive and flexible’ helicopter pilot to join her team of ‘high flyers’ within the royal household.

The role, which is based in Odiham near Hampshire, means joining The Queen’s Helicopter Flight, a small team of pilots and ground support staff who fly the royals across the UK.  

The salary package is described online as ‘competitive’ and the role includes the planning and safe execution of flights. 

The new role comes after Her Majesty, 95, reportedly urged Prince William to stop flying helicopters with his family because she is ‘terrified’ that disaster could strike. 

The advert reads: ‘The Queen’s Helicopter Flight (TQHF) consists of a small team of pilots and ground support, providing the highest standard of helicopter service to Members of the Royal Family on official engagements. 

‘You will be responsible for the planning and safe execution of flights in accordance with TQHF Operations Manual.’  

Upon joining the team, the applicant will take on the role of ‘Co-Pilot or Pilot in Command’ and will operate a Sikorsky S76 C++ helicopter.

The advert goes on: ‘In addition to your flying duties you will undertake management tasks and other administrative duties, supporting the Director of Flight Operations.

The new role comes after Her Majesty, 95, reportedly urged Prince William to stop flying helicopters with his family because she is ‘terrified’ that disaster could strike

Meanwhile applicants must have ‘extensive flying experience’ and be a ‘natural collaborator’ with ‘excellent communication skills and confidence liaising with a wide range of people’.

They should also have ‘high levels of attention to detail and time management skills’ as well as being ‘driven to operate consistently to the highest standard.’ 

The description continues: ‘Your initiative and problem-solving skills mean that you can think ahead and act proactively.’

It comes after reports the Queen has had ‘several conversations’ with William, 39, asking him to ‘stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather’ amid fears an accident could threaten the line of succession.

Prince William is a competent pilot who has flown with the Royal Air Force, serving as search a rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales, and the East Anglia Air Ambulance

Unofficial rules usually prevent senior royals from flying together but the regulations have been relaxed since William’s children were born, allowing for the young family to spend more time together.

William, Kate and their children George, eight, Charlotte, six, and Louis, three, split their time between Kensington Palace in London and Anmer Court in Norfolk, and regularly fly the 115miles between the two homes.

William is second in line to the throne behind his father Charles, the Prince of Wales, while is son George is third in the order of succession.

A source close to the Queen told the Sun: ‘Her Majesty has told close friends and courtiers that she would like William to stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather, as helicopters are not the safest form of transport.

The family (pictured together in 2017) have flown together, often with a pilot and crew but sometimes with William at the controls, since they asked for permission to do so after the birth of Prince George in 2013

‘It keeps the Queen awake at night and she is understandably very worried.

‘She knows William is a capable pilot but does not think it is worth the risk for all five of them to carry on flying together and can’t imagine what would happen. It would spark a constitutional crisis.

‘The Queen has told William she is worried that, however good he is as a pilot, bad weather and accidents can strike at any time.

‘The Queen is delighted in the way William and Kate have risen to the challenge in recent years and knows the monarchy is safe in their hands.

‘She thinks the future is bright with them at the helm after Charles but if something happened to him and the family it doesn’t bear thinking about.’

The family have flown together, often with a pilot and crew but sometimes with William at the controls, since they asked for permission to do so after the birth of Prince George in 2013.

 The family are thought to be looking for a home in Windsor, to avoid the need for regular helicopter trips.