Prince George, the 11-year-old heir to the British throne, has embarked on his aviation journey, upholding a long-standing royal tradition. The young prince recently took his first flying lesson in a Piper PA-28, a single-engine aircraft designed specifically for flight training.
The momentous occasion took place at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire. This historic location, once a base for the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II, has a rich aviation heritage. Prince William and Princess Catherine were present to witness their son's inaugural flight, which lasted approximately one hour.
The royal family's aviation legacy spans generations. Prince Philip, George's great-grandfather, began his flying training at the same airfield in November 1952 at the age of 31. He trained in a de Havilland Chipmunk and a North American Harvard, both renowned trainer aircraft of their time. In May 1953, Philip received his "wings" in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Prince William and Prince Harry both pursued flying during their military careers. William, a trained helicopter pilot, served with RAF Search and Rescue and later with the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Harry flew Apache helicopters during his service in Afghanistan in 2012. The brothers' initial exposure to aviation came through the Army Cadet Corps at Eton College, though formal flight training began in their military years.
The tradition extends further back, with King Charles III having trained with the RAF, and Prince Andrew serving as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War in 1982. Recently, Charles transferred the role of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps to William, further cementing the family's connection to military aviation.
"George is only 11 years old but it is the right time to start. The Royal family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line. His parents watched George take flight from the safety of the ground but he flew with an instructor and loved it."
White Waltham Airfield, home to the West London Aero Club, is renowned as one of Britain's oldest and most esteemed airfields. Set in 200 acres of picturesque Berkshire countryside, it boasts three long runways and is reputed to be the largest grass airfield in the country.
As Prince George takes his first steps into the world of aviation, he not only continues a cherished family tradition but also begins a journey that has shaped the experiences of many royals before him. While the palace has not officially commented on this development, it marks a significant milestone in the young prince's life and royal education.