Prince William to pilot helicopter air ambulance responding to emergencies like car crashes and heart attack victims

The Duke of Cambridge will join the East Anglian Air Ambulance as a helicopter pilot.

Prince William is to become a helicopter pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance responding to emergencies like car crashes and heart attack, it has been announced.

The Duke of Cambridge will complete a mandatory period of training this autumn and winter, before starting work with the Air Ambulance.

An aviation consultant for the East Anglia Air Ambulance has said that Prince William will fly a helicopter air ambulance to respond to car crashes and heart attack victims.

He will be based at Cambridge and Norwich airports and will fly both day and night shifts from spring 2015.

He will start as a co-pilot but, after a period of training, will be qualified to fly as a helicopter commander.

Critical Care Manager Gary Spitzer makes his way towards the East Anglian Air Ambulance at Cambridge Airport. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire/Press Association Images

While this will be the Duke's main occupation - his roster will take into account the duties and responsibilities for the Queen, at home and abroad.

He will also work with his patronages and with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Prince William has pilot experience. Credit: PA

Like all other East Anglian Air Ambulance pilots, the prince will be employed by Bond Air Services, but he will donate his salary to charity.

Read: Prince William to pilot helicopter air ambulance responding to emergencies like car crashes and heart attack victims

William begins training for his helicopter Air Transport Pilot's Licence in September, which should take at least five months to complete after 14 exams and a flight test.

The Duke worked with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force. Credit: PA

The job will build on The Duke's operational experience in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force, which His Royal Highness completed in September 2013.

His experience includes more than 150 search and rescue operations.

If successful he will join the East Anglian Air Ambulance based at Cambridge Airport in spring next year. Credit: SAC Faye Storer/PA Wire

A Kensington Palace spokesman said the Duke is "very much looking forward to" the next step in his career.

There had been speculation surrounding the move since William, who is qualified to be a captain or pilot of a Sea King helicopter, ended his active service as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot in September last year.

The chief executive of East Anglia Air Ambulance has said that the Duke of Cambridge brings a wealth of experience to his new role as a helicopter pilot with the organisation.

His main duties will involve flying an EC145 T2 aircraft, working alongside medics to respond to emergencies ranging from road accidents to heart attacks.

The EAAA currently operates two helicopters and employs three pilots in Norwich and three in Cambridge.

Along with a pilot, each helicopter carries a doctor and a paramedic.

The Duke of Cambridge seen in front of Sea King helicopter. Credit: SAC Faye Storer/PA Wire

A palace spokesman said: "The job will build on the Duke's operational experience in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue force.

"During this time he undertook more than 150 search and rescue operations."The announcement further strengthens ties with the city from which William takes his title after he completed a 10-week agricultural course at the University of Cambridge earlier this year.