HARRY’S GUNNING FOR HELICOPTER JOB

The third in line to the throne wants to fight for his country by piloting Apache attack helicopters that hunt and destroy enemy troops and tanks.

Harry, 24, has passed his initial pilot aptitude tests and, next month, begins a four-week “grading” programme, which has a 50 per cent failure rate.

If he gets through that and a selection board interview he will begin full training in January, lasting up to two and a half years, at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.

The Prince, currently a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals, is expected to branch out from his role as an armoured reconnaissance troop leader and find a new specialism.

It means there is no chance in the next few years of him returning to Afghanistan where he served for 10 weeks early this year as a forward air controller.

But senior royal sources have said he will be expected to serve in war zones as a helicopter pilot if he passes the full course.

An MoD spokeswoman said: “Attending flying grading is one step on a long, demanding path to becoming a qualified pilot.”

Harry, his brother William and eight others completed a gruelling eight-day cross-country motorcycle ride through South Africa at the weekend.

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