London: If you like flying high with the rich and famous, then this is the job for you.
Queen Elizabeth II, 88, is looking for a 78,500 pounds-a-year helicopter pilot at almost twice the salary Prince William is expected to be paid when he returns to the skies.
The job of "aircraft captain" is being advertised on the British Monarchy website and the successful applicant should have "VVIP" experience.
Apart from the Duke of Cambridge, who was a search-and-rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Wales, his father Prince Charles, brother Prince Harry and uncle the Duke of York are all qualified helicopter pilots.
Prince William will this month begin training for a new job as an air ambulance pilot operating in East Anglia. He will reportedly earn around 40,000 pounds a year.
Kensington Palace has said he would donate his post-tax salary -- estimated to be in the region of 30,155 pounds per year -- in full to an undisclosed charity.
Based at Odiham, Hampshire, the successful applicant for the royal post "must be willing to undertake regular travel across the UK and overnight as necessary, have a flexible approach and be willing to take on duties and activities outside your normal responsibilities," the advertisement says.
"The Queen's Helicopter Flight consists of a small team of pilots and ground support personnel operating a privately operated Sikorsky S76 helicopter and an Agusta Westland 109S.
As the aircraft captain, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient execution of the flight in accordance with standard procedures," it says.
The advertisement adds that "corporate/VVIP experience are highly desirable", and applications close September 25. Some of the qualities required for the job are "high levels of initiative and problem solving skills, with the ability to think ahead and act proactively."
The Queen's helicopter flight provides transport for members of the Royal Family carrying out engagements.
Frequently, many of their engagements involve long-distance travelling and the helicopter flight exists to try and reduce travel time so as to reduce the strain on older royals as well as save time for more engagements.
